Administration of interferon for prophylaxis against or treatment of pathogenic infection

ABSTRACT

The invention provides compositions and methods for the prophylaxis or treatment of diseases or disorders in a subject (e.g., a mammal, such as a human) including, e.g., diseases or disorders caused by biological agents, autoimmune diseases, and cancer. The compositions include a delivery vector (e.g., a viral vector, such as an Ad5 vector) encoding an interferon (e.g., IFN-α), and are provided to the subject by, e.g., intranasal or pulmonary administration.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 12/797,575, filed onJun. 9, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,309,531, which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/185,261, filed on Jun. 9, 2009.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed to the treatment of or prophylaxis againstdiseases or disorders caused by biological or chemical agents in asubject (e.g., a mammal, such as a human).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There is a suite of emerging viruses that are endemic, pandemic,engineered, or weaponized. To date, there is no broad-spectrum antiviraltherapy that can effectively prevent infection or treat illnessresulting from these viruses. According to the U.S. Centers for DiseaseControl and Prevention (CDC; Rotz et al, CDC Emerging InfectiousDiseases Vol. 8, No. 2, 2002) there are six Category A threats, whichincludes smallpox, which is caused by, e.g., variola virus (Smallpox),and viral hemorrhagic fever, which is caused by, e.g., filoviruses, suchas Ebola virus, bunyaviruses, such as hantavirus, and arenaviruses, suchas Lassa virus. Category A agents have the greatest potential foradverse public health impact with mass casualties. Biological agentsthat have potential for large-scale dissemination with resultant illnessbut generally fewer fatalities are classified as Category B threats.Several viral threats are identified as Category B threats; theseinclude viral encephalitis, such as, e.g., Venezuelan equineencephalitis virus (VEEV), eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV), andwestern equine encephalitis virus (WEEV), which are all alphaviruses.There are also many emerging Category C threats, which include diseasescaused by Nipah virus and hantavirus.

In addition to the CDC list, the U.S. Department of Health and HumanServices (HHS) has released a list of viruses under their Public HealthEmergency Medical Countermeasures Enterprise (PHEMCE) program that listsArenaviridae (e.g., Junin and Lassa viruses), Filoviridae (e.g., Ebolaand Marburg viruses), Poxyiridae (Smallpox and monkey pox viruses), andOrthomyxoviridae (e.g., Influenzavirus A, such as H5N1 and H1N1viruses). Clearly it is not feasible to vaccinate an entire populationagainst all viral strains of all of these viral agents. Indeed, thelarge-scale vaccination of the public against bioterrorist threats,e.g., anthrax, was a failure.

Interferon-alpha (IFN-α) has been used clinically and commercially(e.g., RoferonA®, IntronA®, Pegasys®, Peglntron® etc) to successfullytreat various cancers, including, e.g., malignant melanoma, hairy cellleukemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma, as wellas infectious diseases, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome(SARS), chronic Hepatitis B, and chronic Hepatitis C. IFN-α is a type Iinterferon, which binds to the IFN-α receptor.

IFN-α is one of the earliest cytokines released by antigen presentingcells as part of the innate immune response. It is directly responsiblefor NK and T cell responsiveness, which drives the subsequent immuneresponse. Because of the early response of IFN-α in the immune cascade,its primary role is suggested to be to induce a priming state during theinitial response to infection, and it has been shown that low dose IFN-αresults in increased protection from a viral challenge.

IFN-α, as a recombinant human therapeutic agent, is expensive tomanufacture by cGMP, is hindered by its short half-life in vivo, and isproduced in a non-glycosylated form. IFN-α has an initial distributivehalf-life of 7 minutes and a beta half-life of 2 to 5 hours. This rapiddecay requires multiple injections, usually three times weekly, tomaintain therapeutic levels. Thus, at $2,500 per dose retail, the costof using recombinant human IFN-α as a broad-spectrum antiviral incounter bioterrorism or military operations is prohibitive.

In order to mitigate this rapid in vivo degradation, PEGylated forms ofIFN-α have been developed that have half-lives that are on the order ofdays instead of hours, thus reducing the number of injections to onceper week. Nonetheless, the PEGylation process has been shown to reducethe activity of the IFN-α, and PEG-IFN-α is even more expensive tomanufacture than IFN-α.

Currently, there is a need for a broad-spectrum antiviral that could beadministered for pre- or post-exposure prophylaxis to guard against orin response to, respectively, infectious diseases, such as viral threats(e.g., a viral bioweapon used during a terrorist event or in the eventof pandemic disease).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect, the invention features a composition that includes avector having a nucleic acid molecule encoding an interferon (IFN) and apharmaceutically acceptable excipient, in which the composition isformulated as a dry, lyophilized powder, gel, or liquid, and in whichthe composition is stable at room temperature for at least one week. Inan embodiment, the interferon is IFN-alpha (IFN-α; e.g., consensus IFN-α(conIFN-α; set forth in, e.g., SEQ ID NO: 11) or that is substantiallyidentical (e.g., at least about 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, or 99% ormore identical) to the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 11). In anotherembodiment, the vector is a viral vector (e.g., an adenoviral vector(e.g., an adenoviral strain 5 (Ad5) vector)). In another embodiment, theadenoviral vector (e.g., the Ad5 vector) includes a deletion of all orpart of the E1 and E3 genes, which makes it replication deficient. Inyet another embodiment, the vector is a non-viral vector.

In another embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, in vivoexpression of the IFN upon administration of the composition of thefirst aspect of the invention produces a protective immune responseagainst a pathogen (e.g., a bacterium, virus, fungus, or parasite) in amammal (e.g., a human) to which the composition is administered ortreats infection by the pathogen in the mammal. In another embodiment,in vivo expression of the IFN upon administration of the composition ofthe first aspect of the invention produces a protective response againstan autoimmune disease in a mammal (e.g., a human) to which thecomposition is administered.

In other embodiments of the first aspect of the invention, the nucleicacid molecule of the vector is operably linked to a promoter selectedfrom an SV40 promoter, CMV promoter, adenovirus early and late promoter,metallothioneine gene (MT-1) promoter, Rous sarcoma virus (RSV)promoter, and human Ubiquitine C (UbC) promoter, or the vector furtherincludes one or more of a signal sequence, a polyadenylation sequence,and enhancer, an upstream activation sequence, and a transcriptiontermination factor that facilitates expression of the nucleic acidmolecule encoding the interferon. In yet other embodiments, theexcipient, which is present in the composition in an amount in the rangeof from 1% to 90% by weight (e.g., in an amount in the range of from 5%to 30% by weight), is selected from one or more of fructose, maltose,galactose, glucose, D-mannose, sorbose, lactose, sucrose, trehalose,cellobiose, raffinose, melezitose, maltodextrins, dextrans, starches,mannitol, xylitol, xylose, maltitol, lactitol, xylitol sorbitol,sorbitose, pyranosyl sorbitol, myoinositol, glycine, CaCl₂,hydroxyectoine, ectoine, gelatin, di-myo-inositol phosphate (DIP),cyclic 2,3 diphosphoglycerate (cDPG), 1,1-di-glycerol phosphate (DGP),β-mannosylglycerate (firoin), β-mannosylglyceramide (firoin A), andproline betaine.

In a preferred embodiment, the excipient is one that is capable ofstabilizing the IFN-encoding delivery vehicle (e.g., the Ad5-IFNdelivery vehicle) for an extended period of time (e.g., greater than 1week, and preferably greater than 1 year or more) at room temperaturewith a loss of less than 20% of the viral titer or biological activity(e.g., if the delivery vehicle is non-viral). Non-limiting examples ofsuch excipients include, e.g., trehalose, sorbitol, sucrose, mannitol,glycine, CaCl₂, hydroxiectoin, ectoin, firoin and gelatine.

In still other embodiments, the composition can be formulated foraerosolized delivery; is stable at room temperature for at least onemonth (e.g., 1 year or more); and can be admixed with a pharmaceuticallyacceptable liquid to form the liquid or gel.

In a second aspect, the invention features a method for prophylaxis ortreatment of infection by a biological agent (e.g., an infectiouspathogen, such as a bacteria, virus, fungus, or parasite), autoimmunedisease, or cancer in a subject in need thereof (e.g., a mammal, such asa primate, dog, cat, cow, horse, pig, goat, rat, mouse, or human, or abird) by administering an amount of the composition of the first aspectof the invention to the pulmonary or nasal mucosa of a subject (e.g., amammal, such as a primate, dog, cat, cow, horse, pig, goat, rat, mouse,or human, or a bird) one or more times (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or10 times, e.g., within the course of one or more months or one or moreyears, or as needed). In an embodiment, the vector targets pulmonary ornasal epithelial cells upon said administration. In yet anotherembodiments, transfection of the vector into the targeted cells resultsin expression of the interferon (IFN; e.g., IFN-α, such as consensusIFN-α (conIFN-α; set forth in, e.g., SEQ ID NO: 11)) in the cells of thesubject and the IFN acts locally and/or is secreted by the cells intothe subject's bloodstream. In other embodiments, the compositionincludes an adenovirus strain 5 (Ad5) vector encoding the IFN and thecomposition includes the Ad5 vector in an amount in the range of atleast about 1×10³ to about 1×10¹⁴ viral particles per dose.

In still other embodiments of the second aspect of the invention, thesubject receives the composition prior to exposure to the pathogen(e.g., at least about 15 to 30 minutes prior to exposure to thepathogen, preferably at least about 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 15, 20, or 24hours prior to exposure to the pathogen, and more preferably at leastabout 1-2 weeks prior to exposure to the pathogen) or the subjectreceives the composition following exposure to the pathogen (e.g.,immediately after exposure to the pathogen or at least about 15-30minutes following exposure to the pathogen or at least about 1, 2, 4, 6,8, 10, 15, 20, 24, 48, or 72 hours, or more, after exposure to thepathogen. In other embodiments, the pathogen is a bacterium, virus,fungus, or parasite.

In other embodiments, the subject receives the composition of the firstaspect of the invention prior to or after development of autoimmunedisease or cancer, or symptoms thereof.

In still other embodiments of the second aspect of the invention, thecomposition can be inhaled as a lyophilized powder (e.g., as anunreconstituted powder) or admixed with a pharmaceutically acceptableliquid (e.g., water or saline) and inhaled as an aerosolized mist. Inother embodiments, the aerosolized mist includes droplets having adiameter of greater than 2 μm. In yet another embodiment, prior toadministration of the composition of the first aspect of the invention,the subject is tested to determine whether the subject has been exposedto the pathogen, exhibits symptoms of autoimmune disease, or has cancer.In another embodiment, following administration of the composition ofthe first aspect of the invention, the method further includesdetermining the level of IFN in the subject's serum and administering asubsequent dose of the composition if the level of IFN in the serum isless than about 1000 IU/ml, preferably less than about 500 IU/ml, morepreferably less than 100 IU/ml, e.g., in the range of about 0.0001 toabout 250 IU/ml. In other embodiments, the level of IFN in the serum,following administration of a composition of the invention is in therange of about 100 IU/ml to about 5.0×10⁵ IU/ml, preferably in the rangeof about 200 to 10,000 IU/ml, more preferably in the range of about 250to 5,000 IU/ml. In other embodiments, the subject is administered atleast 2 doses (e.g., 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 doses) of thecomposition. Preferably, the composition protects the subject frominfection by the pathogen for at least about 24 hours, 36 hours, 48hours, or 72 hours, preferably for at least about 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5weeks, and more preferably for at least about 2, 6, 12, 18 or 24 monthsor more. In other embodiments, administration of the composition of thefirst aspect of the invention reduces or dimishes symptoms associatedwith autoimmune disease or results in a decrease of 20, 40, 60, 80, or100% in the size of a tumor or in the number of cancerous cells, asdetermined using standard methods (for example, at least 20, 40, 60, 80,90, or 95% of the treated subjects have a complete remission in whichall evidence of the tumor or cancer disappears). Desirably, the tumor orcancer does not reappear or reappears after at least 5, 10, 15, or 20years.

In other embodiments, the composition is administered as a liquid or agel. The composition may be administered by the subject or by anotherperson, such as an attending physician.

In other embodiments of the second aspect of the invention, followingadministration of the composition of the first aspect of the invention,the method further includes determining the level of an IFN-inducedresponse as a correlate for the activity of IFN in the subject. Forexample, the method can include determining or measuring theupregulation or activity of the double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-dependentprotein kinase R (PKR), the 2′-5′-oligoadenylate synthetase (2′-5′-OAS),IFN-inducible Mx proteins, a tryptophan-degrading enzyme (see, e.g.,Pfefferkorn, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 81:908-912, 1984), adenosinedeaminase (ADAR1), IFN-stimulated gene 20 (ISG20), p 56, ISG15, mGBP2,GBP-1, the APOBEC proteins, viperin, or other factors (see, e.g., Zhanget al., J. Virol., 81:11246-11255, 2007, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,442,527,which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety).

A third aspect of the invention features a device that contains thecomposition of any embodiments of the first aspect of the invention.Preferably, the device includes a) a container that includes thecomposition; b) a nozzle for directing the composition to the pulmonaryor nasal mucosa of a subject; c) a mechanical delivery pump fordelivering the composition to the nozzle, such that activation of thepump results in a fluid connection between the nozzle and the container;and d) an actuation mechanism for activating the mechanical deliverypump (e.g., a trigger capable of actuating the delivery pump at apredeterminable pressure or flow rate). The delivery pump can alsoinclude a liquid delivery pump for delivering a metered volume of thecomposition in liquid form or a powder delivery pump for delivering ametered amount of the composition in powder form. In an embodiment, thenozzle can be configured to deliver an aerosol (e.g., a mist) or a jet.Devices for use in the third aspect of the invention are describedherein.

A fourth aspect of the invention features a kit that includes a firstcontainer having the composition of any embodiments of the first aspectof the invention, a second container having a pharmaceuticallyacceptable liquid, and the device of any embodiments of the third aspectof the invention, and, optionally, instructions for using the device todeliver the contents of the first container, or for combining thecontents of the first and second containers to form a combinedcomposition and then using the device to deliver the combinedcomposition, e.g., to a subject for treating or inhibiting infection bya pathogen, autoimmune disease or symptoms thereof, or cancer. In anembodiment of all aspects of the invention, the vector is a recombinantviral vector (e.g., an adenoviral vector, such as Ad5) that includes anucleic acid molecule encoding a cytokine (e.g., interferon-alpha(IFN-α), such as consensus IFN-α); the composition can be administeredto a subject (e.g., a mammal, such as a primate, dog, cat, cow, horse,pig, goat, rat, mouse, or human, or a bird) to protect against challengefrom, or to treat infection by, a biological agent. The biological agentcan be an infectious pathogen, such as a bacterium, virus, fungus, orparasite.

In an embodiment of all aspects of the invention, the bacterium isselected from Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhimurium,Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Bruscella, Burkholderia mallei,Yersinia pestis, and Bacillus anthracis.

In an embodiment of all aspects of the invention, the virus is selectedfrom a member of the Flaviviridae family (e.g., a member of theFlavivirus, Pestivirus, and Hepacivirus genera), which includes thehepatitis C virus, Yellow fever virus; Tick-borne viruses, such as theGadgets Gully virus, Kadam virus, Kyasanur Forest disease virus, Langatvirus, Omsk hemorrhagic fever virus, Powassan virus, Royal Farm virus,Karshi virus, tick-borne encephalitis virus, Neudoerfl virus, Sofjinvirus, Louping ill virus and the Negishi virus; seabird tick-borneviruses, such as the Meaban virus, Saumarez Reef virus, and the Tyuleniyvirus; mosquito-borne viruses, such as the Aroa virus, dengue virus,Kedougou virus, Cacipacore virus, Koutango virus, Japanese encephalitisvirus, Murray Valley encephalitis virus, St. Louis encephalitis virus,Usutu virus, West Nile virus, Yaounde virus, Kokobera virus, Bagazavirus, Ilheus virus, Israel turkey meningoencephalo-myelitis virus,Ntaya virus, Tembusu virus, Zika virus, Banzi virus, Bouboui virus, EdgeHill virus, Jugra virus, Saboya virus, Sepik virus, Uganda S virus,Wesselsbron virus, yellow fever virus; and viruses with no knownarthropod vector, such as the Entebbe bat virus, Yokose virus, Apoivirus, Cowbone Ridge virus, Jutiapa virus, Modoc virus, Sal Vieja virus,San Perlita virus, Bukalasa bat virus, Carey Island virus, Dakar batvirus, Montana myotis leukoencephalitis virus, Phnom Penh bat virus, RioBravo virus, Tamana bat virus, and the Cell fusing agent virus.

In another embodiment of all aspects of the invention, the virus isselected from a member of the Arenaviridae family, which includes theIppy virus, Lassa virus (e.g., the Josiah, LP, or GA391 strain),lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV), Mobala virus, Mopeia virus,Amapari virus, Flexal virus, Guanarito virus, Junin virus, Latino virus,Machupo virus, Oliveros virus, Paraná virus, Pichinde virus, Piritalvirus, Sabiá virus, Tacaribe virus, Tamiami virus, Whitewater Arroyovirus, Chapare virus, and Lujo virus.

In yet other embodiments of all aspects of the invention, the virus isselected from a member of the Bunyaviridae family (e.g., a member of theHantavirus, Nairovirus, Orthobunyavirus, and Phlebovirus genera), whichincludes the Hantaan virus, Sin Nombre virus, Dugbe virus, Bunyamweravirus, Rift Valley fever virus, La Crosse virus, Punta Toro virus (PTV),California encephalitis virus, and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever(CCHF) virus.

In still other embodiments of all aspects of the invention, the virus isselected from a member of the Filoviridae family, which includes theEbola virus (e.g., the Zaire, Sudan, Ivory Coast, Reston, and Ugandastrains) and the Marburg virus (e.g., the Angola, Ci67, Musoke, Popp,Ravn and Lake Victoria strains); a member of the Togaviridae family(e.g., a member of the Alphavirus genus), which includes the Venezuelanequine encephalitis virus (VEE), Eastern equine encephalitis virus(EEE), Western equine encephalitis virus (WEE), Sindbis virus, rubellavirus, Semliki Forest virus, Ross River virus, Barmah Forest virus,O'nyong'nyong virus, and the chikungunya virus; a member of thePoxyiridae family (e.g., a member of the Orthopoxvirus genus), whichincludes the smallpox virus, monkeypox virus, and vaccinia virus; amember of the Herpesviridae family, which includes the herpes simplexvirus (HSV; types 1, 2, and 6), human herpes virus (e.g., types 7 and8), cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), Varicella-Zostervirus, and Kaposi's sarcoma associated-herpesvirus (KSHV); a member ofthe Orthomyxoviridae family, which includes the influenza virus (A, B,and C), such as the H5N1 avian influenza virus or H1N1 swine flu; amember of the Coronaviridae family, which includes the severe acuterespiratory syndrome (SARS) virus; a member of the Rhabdoviridae family,which includes the rabies virus and vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV); amember of the Paramyxoviridae family, which includes the humanrespiratory syncytial virus (RSV), Newcastle disease virus, hendravirus,nipahvirus, measles virus, rinderpest virus, canine distemper virus,Sendai virus, human parainfluenza virus (e.g., 1, 2, 3, and 4),rhinovirus, and mumps virus; a member of the Picornaviridae family,which includes the poliovirus, human enterovirus (A, B, C, and D),hepatitis A virus, and the coxsackievirus; a member of theHepadnaviridae family, which includes the hepatitis B virus; a member ofthe Papillamoviridae family, which includes the human papilloma virus; amember of the Parvoviridae family, which includes the adeno-associatedvirus; a member of the Astroviridae family, which includes theastrovirus; a member of the Polyomaviridae family, which includes the JCvirus, BK virus, and SV40 virus; a member of the Calciviridae family,which includes the Norwalk virus; a member of the Reoviridae family,which includes the rotavirus; and a member of the Retroviridae family,which includes the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV; e.g., types 1 and2), and human T-lymphotropic virus Types I and II (HTLV-1 and HTLV-2,respectively).

In still other embodiments of all aspects of the invention, the funguscan be Aspergillus, Blastomyces dermatitidis, Candida, Coccidioidesimmitis, Cryptococcus neoformans, Histoplasma capsulatum var.capsulatum, Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, Sporothrix schenckii,Zygomycetes spp., Absidia corymbifera, Rhizomucor pusillus, or Rhizopusarrhizus.

In another embodiment of all aspects of the invention, the parasite isselected from Toxoplasma gondii, Plasmodium falciparum, P. vivax, P.ovale, P. malariae, Trypanosoma spp., and Legionella spp.

In another embodiment of all aspects of the invention, the autoimmunedisease includes systemic autoimmune diseases and organ-specificautoimmune diseases. Typical examples of autoimmune diseases includeinsulin-dependent diabetes (also known as type 1 diabetes), systemiclupus erythematosus, chronic rheumatoid arthritis, Hashimoto's disease,alopecia greata, ankylosing spondylitis, antiphospholipid syndrome,autoimmune Addison's disease, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, autoimmunehepatitis, Behcet's disease, bullous pemphigoid, cardiomyopathy, celiacsprue-dermatitis, chronic fatigue immune dysfunction syndrome (CFIDS),chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, Churg-Strausssyndrome, cicatricial pemphigoid, CREST syndrome, cold agglutinindisease, Crohn's disease, discoid lupus, ulcerative colitis, psoriaticarthritis, essential mixed cryoglobulinemia, fibromyalgia-fibromyositis,Graves' disease, Guillain-Barré, hypothyroidism, idiopathic pulmonaryfibrosis, idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura (ITP), IgA nephropathy,juvenile arthritis, lichen planus, lupus, Ménière's disease, mixedconnective tissue disease, multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis,pemphigus vulgaris, pernicious anemia, polyarteritis nodosa,polychondritis, polyglandular syndromes, polymyalgia rheumatica,polymyositis and dermatomyositis, primary agammaglobulinemia, primarybiliary cirrhosis, psoriasis, Raynaud's phenomenon, Reiter's syndrome,rheumatic fever, sarcoidosis, scleroderma, Sjögren's syndrome, Stiff-Mansyndrome, Devic's disease, Takayasu arteritis, temporal arteritis/giantcell arteritis, ulcerative colitis, uveitis, vasculitis, vitiligo, andWegener's granulomatosis.

In another embodiment of all aspects of the invention, the cancerinclude such cancers as melanoma, clear cell sarcoma, head and neckcancer, bladder cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, ovarian cancer,endometrial cancer, gastric cancer, pancreatic cancer, renal cancer,prostate cancer, salivary gland cancer, lung cancer, liver cancer, skincancer, and brain cancer.

In yet another embodiment of all aspects of the invention, thecompositions and methods of the first, second, third, and fourth aspectsof the invention further include administering with, or expressing in,the vector (e.g., viral vector), a supplemental therapeutic agent orregimen, e.g., a polypeptide, such as an antibody or antibody fragment(e.g., recombinant, humanized, chimeric, or monoclonal antibody orfragment), a microbial antigen, a cytokine or growth factor, a hormone,a clotting factor, a drug resistance or anti-viral resistancepolypeptide, an anti-venom agent, an antioxidant, a receptor or ligand,an immunomodulatory factor, a detectable label, a cellular factor, or avaccine. In other embodiments, the antibody or antibody fragment can bea single chain antibody (scFv), Fab, Fab′2, scFv, SMIP, diabody,nanobody, aptamer, or domain antibody. In yet other embodiments, thecytokine or growth factor can be tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α),TNF-β, IFN-β, IFN-γ, interleukin 1 (IL-1), IL-1β, interleukin 2-14,granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), granulocytecolony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), RANTES, MIP-1α), transforming growthfactor-beta (TGF-β), platelet derived growth factor (PGDF), insulin-likegrowth factor (IGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), vascular endothelialgrowth factor (VEGF), keratinocyte growth factor (KGF), erythropoietin(EPO), or thrombopoietin (TPO). The hormone can be angiotensinogen,angiotensin, parathyroid hormone (PTH), basic fibroblast growthfactor-2, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone,adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH), vasopressin, oxytocin,somatostatin, gastrin, cholecystokinin, leptin, atrial-natriureticpeptide, epinephrine, norephinephrine, dopamine, calcitonin, or insulin.The clotting factor can be factor VII, factor VIII, factor IX, orfibrinogen. The enzyme can be can be butyrylcholinesterase (BChE),adenosine deaminase, glucocerebrosidase, alpha-1 antitrypsin, a viralthymidine kinase, hypoxanthine phosphoribosyl transferase, manganesesuperoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD), catalase, copper-zinc-superoxidedismutase (CuZn-SOD), extracellular superoxide dismutase (EC-SOD),glutathione reductase, phenylalanine hydroxylase, nitric oxidesynthetase, or paraoxinase. The receptor or ligand can be a T-cellreceptor (TCR), LDL receptor, surface-bound immunoglobulin, soluble CD4,cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance receptor (CFTR), or a F_(c)receptor. The immunomodulatory factor can be CTLA-4, VCP, PLIF, LSF-1,Nip, CD200, uromodulin, CD40L (CD154), FasL, CD27L, CD30L, 4-1BBL, CD28,CD25, B7.1, B7.2, or OX40L. The detectable label can be greenfluorescent protein (GFP). The cellular factor can be cytochrome b,ApoE, ApoC, ApoAI, MDR, tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), urokinase,hirudin, β-globin, α-globin, HbA, ras, src, or bcl. The polypeptide canbe a cellular protein that acts as an antigen, thereby generating animmune response in the subject against a biological or chemical agent.The vaccine can be, e.g., a bacterial, viral, fungal, or parasitevaccine known in the art for treating one or more of the bacterial,viral, fungal, or parasitic agents described herein. For example, thevaccine may be directed against a bacterium selected from Pseudomonasaeruginosa, Salmonella typhimurium, Escherichia coli, Klebsiellapneumoniae, Bruscella, Burkholderia mallei, Yersinia pestis, andBacillus anthracis; a virus selected from a member of the Flaviviridaefamily (e.g., a member of the Flavivirus, Pestivirus, and Hepacivirusgenera), which includes the hepatitis C virus, Yellow fever virus;Tick-borne viruses, such as the Gadgets Gully virus, Kadam virus,Kyasanur Forest disease virus, Langat virus, Omsk hemorrhagic fevervirus, Powassan virus, Royal Farm virus, Karshi virus, tick-borneencephalitis virus, Neudoerfl virus, Sofjin virus, Louping ill virus andthe Negishi virus; seabird tick-borne viruses, such as the Meaban virus,Saumarez Reef virus, and the Tyuleniy virus; mosquito-borne viruses,such as the Aroa virus, dengue virus, Kedougou virus, Cacipacore virus,Koutango virus, Japanese encephalitis virus, Murray Valley encephalitisvirus, St. Louis encephalitis virus, Usutu virus, West Nile virus,Yaounde virus, Kokobera virus, Bagaza virus, Ilheus virus, Israel turkeymeningoencephalo-myelitis virus, Ntaya virus, Tembusu virus, Zika virus,Banzi virus, Bouboui virus, Edge Hill virus, Jugra virus, Saboya virus,Sepik virus, Uganda S virus, Wesselsbron virus, yellow fever virus; andviruses with no known arthropod vector, such as the Entebbe bat virus,Yokose virus, Apoi virus, Cowbone Ridge virus, Jutiapa virus, Modocvirus, Sal Vieja virus, San Perlita virus, Bukalasa bat virus, CareyIsland virus, Dakar bat virus, Montana myotis leukoencephalitis virus,Phnom Penh bat virus, Rio Bravo virus, Tamana bat virus, and the Cellfusing agent virus; a virus selected from a member of the Arenaviridaefamily, which includes the Ippy virus, Lassa virus (e.g., the Josiah,LP, or GA391 strain), lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV), Mobalavirus, Mopeia virus, Amapari virus, Flexal virus, Guanarito virus, Juninvirus, Latino virus, Machupo virus, Oliveros virus, Paraná virus,Pichinde virus, Pirital virus, Sabiá virus, Tacaribe virus, Tamiamivirus, Whitewater Arroyo virus, Chapare virus, and Lujo virus; a virusselected from a member of the Bunyaviridae family (e.g., a member of theHantavirus, Nairovirus, Orthobunyavirus, and Phlebovirus genera), whichincludes the Hantaan virus, Sin Nombre virus, Dugbe virus, Bunyamweravirus, Rift Valley fever virus, La Crosse virus, Punta Toro virus (PTV),California encephalitis virus, and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever(CCHF) virus; a virus selected from a member of the Filoviridae family,which includes the Ebola virus (e.g., the Zaire, Sudan, Ivory Coast,Reston, and Uganda strains) and the Marburg virus (e.g., the Angola,Ci67, Musoke, Popp, Ravn and Lake Victoria strains); a member of theTogaviridae family (e.g., a member of the Alphavirus genus), whichincludes the Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEE), Eastern equineencephalitis virus (EEE), Western equine encephalitis virus (WEE),Sindbis virus, rubella virus, Semliki Forest virus, Ross River virus,Barmah Forest virus, O'nyong'nyong virus, and the chikungunya virus; amember of the Poxyiridae family (e.g., a member of the Orthopoxvirusgenus), which includes the smallpox virus, monkeypox virus, and vacciniavirus; a member of the Herpesviridae family, which includes the herpessimplex virus (HSV; types 1, 2, and 6), human herpes virus (e.g., types7 and 8), cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV),Varicella-Zoster virus, and Kaposi's sarcoma associated-herpesvirus(KSHV); a member of the Orthomyxoviridae family, which includes theinfluenza virus (A, B, and C), such as the H5N1 avian influenza virus orH1N1 swine flu; a member of the Coronaviridae family, which includes thesevere acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) virus; a member of theRhabdoviridae family, which includes the rabies virus and vesicularstomatitis virus (VSV); a member of the Paramyxoviridae family, whichincludes the human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), Newcastle diseasevirus, hendravirus, nipahvirus, measles virus, rinderpest virus, caninedistemper virus, Sendai virus, human parainfluenza virus (e.g., 1, 2, 3,and 4), rhinovirus, and mumps virus; a member of the Picornaviridaefamily, which includes the poliovirus, human enterovirus (A, B, C, andD), hepatitis A virus, and the coxsackievirus; a member of theHepadnaviridae family, which includes the hepatitis B virus; a member ofthe Papillamoviridae family, which includes the human papilloma virus; amember of the Parvoviridae family, which includes the adeno-associatedvirus; a member of the Astroviridae family, which includes theastrovirus; a member of the Polyomaviridae family, which includes the JCvirus, BK virus, and SV40 virus; a member of the Calciviridae family,which includes the Norwalk virus; a member of the Reoviridae family,which includes the rotavirus; and a member of the Retroviridae family,which includes the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV; e.g., types 1 and2), and human T-lymphotropic virus Types I and II (HTLV-1 and HTLV-2,respectively); or a fungus selected from Aspergillus, Blastomycesdermatitidis, Candida, Coccidioides immitis, Cryptococcus neoformans,Histoplasma capsulatum var. capsulatum, Paracoccidioides brasiliensis,Sporothrix schenckii, Zygomycetes spp., Absidia corymbifera, Rhizomucorpusillus, and Rhizopus arrhizus; or parasite selected from Toxoplasmagondii, Plasmodium falciparum, P. vivax, P. ovale, P. malariae,Trypanosoma spp., and Legionella spp.

In yet other embodiments of all aspects of the invention, the vector(e.g., viral vector) can be modified to express one or moreoligonucleotides, e.g., an RNA interference (RNAi) molecule capable ofinhibiting viral replication or infection. The RNAi molecule can be asmall inhibitory RNA (siRNA) or short hairpin RNA (shRNA) molecule.

In another embodiment of all aspects of the invention, the subject hasbeen or is suspected to have been exposed to a biological or chemicalagent prior to receiving a pharmaceutical composition of the invention.In another embodiment of all aspects of the invention, the subject hasbeen diagnosed with or exhibits symptoms of autoimmune disease or cancerprior to receiving a pharmaceutical composition of the invention. Thesubject can be administered single or multiple doses of thepharmaceutical composition of the invention. In another embodiment ofall aspects of the invention, the pharmaceutical composition of theinvention can be administered to a subject (e.g., a mammal, such as ahuman) as a prophylactic, e.g., as a vaccine-type preventative, prior toexposure to a biological or chemical agent to protect the subject (e.g.,immediately prior to exposure, e.g., at least about 5, 10, or 30 minutesprior to exposure, or, preferably, at least about 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 hoursprior to exposure, more preferably at least about 6, 24, 36, 48, or 72hours prior to exposure, and more preferably at least about 1, 2, 3, or4 weeks or more prior to exposure) or prior to the diagnosis of, ordevelopment of symptoms of, autoimmune disease or cancer. Thepharmaceutical composition of the invention can be administered to asubject intravenously, intramuscularly, orally, by inhalation,parenterally, intraperitoneally, intraarterially, transdermally,sublingually, nasally, transbuccally, liposomally, adiposally,opthalmically, intraocularly, subcutaneously, intrathecally, topically,or locally. In a preferred embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition isadministered to the pulmonary or intranasal mucosa of a subject. If theIFN-encoding delivery vehicle composition is a viral vector, the subjectcan be administered at least about 1×10³ viral particles (vp)/dose orbetween 1×10¹ and 1×10¹⁴ vp/dose, preferably between 1×10³ and 1×10¹²vp/dose, and more preferably between 1×10⁵ and 1×10¹⁰ vp/dose. If theIFN-encoding delivery vehicle composition is a non-viral vector, thesubject can be administered at least about 1×10¹ molecules/dose, e.g.,between 1×10¹ and 1×10¹⁵ molecules/dose, preferably between 1×10³ and1×10¹⁰ molecules/dose, and more preferably between 1×10⁴ and 1×10⁸molecules/dose, of the non-viral delivery vector.

In other embodiments of all aspects of the invention, expression of theheterologous protein (e.g., IFN, such as a consensus IFN-α) in a subject(as determined by measuring serum levels) occurs for greater than oneweek, one month, two months, or six months. In yet other embodiments,the effects of expression of interferon (e.g., IFN-α, such as aconsensus IFN-α) occurs for greater than one week, one month, twomonths, six months or 1-2 years (as determined by using surrogatemarkers for interferon expression, as is discussed herein).

In another embodiment of all aspects of the invention, thepharmaceutical composition of the invention can be administered to asubject in combination with one or more supplemental agents that enhanceor prolong the prophylactic or therapeutic effect of the interferon(e.g., consensus IFN-α) treatment. The supplemental agent can be, e.g.,a cytokine, antiviral agent, anti-bacterial agent, anti-fungal agent,anti-parasitic agent, immunostimulant, or immunization vaccine. Inanother embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition of the inventionincludes an IFN expression vector (e.g., an Ad5 vector that encodesIFN-α), a vaccine, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, in whichthe composition is fast-acting (e.g., exhibiting >80% (e.g., 85%, 90%,95%, or 99% or more (e.g., 100%)) treatment efficacy (e.g., as measuredby survival) when administered within at least 24 hours (e.g., 1, 2, 4,6, 8, 10, 12, 15, or 18 hours) post-exposure or even within as little as15-30 minutes post-exposure. In another embodiment, the vaccine is aviral vaccine (e.g., an Ebola vaccine (e.g., the Ebola Zaire vaccineAd-CAGoptZGP; see Richardson et al. (PloS 4:e5308, 2009)). In anotherembodiment, the pharmaceutical composition of the invention includes anIFN expression vector (e.g., an Ad5 vector that encodes IFN-α) and apharmaceutically acceptable carrier, which is administered separately orin combination with a vaccine (e.g., a viral vaccine, such as an Ebolavaccine (e.g., the Ebola Zaire vaccine Ad-CAGoptZGP; see Richardson etal. (PLoS 4:e5308, 2009)). For example, the pharmaceutical compositionof the invention is administered within 15-30 minutes of the vaccine orwithin 1, 2, 4, 8, 10, 12, 24, 48, or 72 hours of the vaccine or within1-2 weeks after the vaccine.

In yet another embodiment of all aspects of the invention, the vector(e.g., viral vector, such as Ad5 vector) is administered with apharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient.

DEFINITIONS

The term “about” is used herein to mean a value that is ±10% of therecited value.

As used herein, by “administering” is meant a method of giving a dosageof a pharmaceutical composition to a subject. The compositions utilizedin the methods described herein can be administered by a route selectedfrom, e.g., parenteral, dermal, transdermal, ocular, inhalation, buccal,sublingual, perilingual, nasal, rectal, topical, and oral. Parenteraladministration includes intra-arterial, intravenous, intraperitoneal,subcutaneous, and intramuscular administration. The preferred method ofadministration can vary depending on various factors (e.g., thecomponents of the composition being administered and the severity of thecondition being treated).

By “an amount sufficient to treat” is meant the amount of a compositionadministered to improve, inhibit, or ameliorate a condition of asubject, or a symptom of a disorder, in a clinically relevant manner(e.g., improve, inhibit, or ameliorate infection, e.g., by one or moreviruses or viral strains, or one or more symptoms that occur followinginfection, or to improve, treat, or ameliorate autoimmune disease orcancer, or one or more symptoms thereof). Any improvement in the subjectis considered sufficient to achieve treatment. Preferably, an amountsufficient to treat is an amount that reduces, inhibits, or prevents theoccurrence or one or more symptoms of a viral infection (e.g., symptomsthat result from infection by at least one and preferably two or moreviruses or viral strains) or is an amount that reduces the severity of,or the length of time during which a subject suffers from, one or moresymptoms of the infection (e.g., by at least 10%, 20%, or 30%, morepreferably by at least 50%, 60%, or 70%, and most preferably by at least80%, 90%, 95%, 99%, or more, relative to a control subject that is nottreated with a composition of the invention). A sufficient amount of thepharmaceutical composition used to practice the methods described herein(e.g., the treatment of viral infection(s)) varies depending upon themanner of administration and the age, body weight, and general health ofthe subject being treated. A physician or researcher can decide theappropriate amount and dosage regimen.

By “host, “subject” or “patient” is meant any organism, such as a mammal(e.g., a primate, dog, cat, cow, horse, pig, goat, rat, and mouse) or abird; preferably the organism is a human. A host may also be a domesticanimal (e.g., a farm animal) or a companion animal (e.g., a pet).

By “inducing an immune response” is meant eliciting a humoral response(e.g., the production of antibodies) or a cellular response (e.g., theactivation of T cells, macrophages, neutrophils, and natural killercells) directed against one or more viruses or viral strains (e.g., two,three, four, or more viruses or viral strains) in a subject to which thepharmaceutical composition (e.g., a vaccine) has been administered.

As used here, “interferon” or “IFN” refers to a peptide or proteinhaving an amino acid sequence substantially identical (e.g., at least70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or even 100%identical) to all or a portion of the sequence of an interferon (e.g., ahuman interferon), such as IFN-α (e.g., IFN-α-1a; see U.S. PatentApplication No. 20070274950, incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety), IFN-α-1b (SEQ ID NOs: 1 and 2), IFN-α-2a (see PCT ApplicationNo. WO 07/044,083, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety) andIFN-α-2b (SEQ ID NOs: 3 and 4)), consensus IFN-α (SEQ ID NO: 11), IFN-β(e.g., described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,238,344, incorporated by referencein its entirety; IFN-β-1a, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,962,978;incorporated by reference in its entirety) and IFN-β-1b (as described inU.S. Pat. Nos. 4,588,585; 4,959,314; 4,737,462; and 4,450,103;incorporated by reference in their entirety; see also SEQ ID NOs: 5 and6), IFN-γ (see, e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 7 and 8), and IFN-τ (as described inU.S. Pat. No. 5,738,845 and U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos.20040247565 and 20070243163; incorporated by reference in theirentirety; see also SEQ ID NOs: 9 and 10).

The term “interferon alpha” or “IFN-α” as used herein means the familyof highly homologous species-specific proteins that inhibit viralreplication and cellular proliferation and modulate immune response.Typical suitable interferon-alphas include, but are not limited to,recombinant interferon alpha-2a, recombinant interferon alpha-2b,recombinant interferon alpha-2c, alpha 2 interferon, and a consensusalpha interferon, such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,897,471and 4,695,623 (especially Examples 7, 8 or 9 thereof), which areincorporated herein by reference.

By “pharmaceutical composition” is meant any composition that contains atherapeutically or biologically active agent (e.g., at least one nucleicacid molecule that encodes all or part of a cytokine (e.g., aninterferon, such as IFN-α (e.g., consensus IFN-α) either incorporatedinto a viral vector or independent of a viral vector (e.g., incorporatedinto a liposome, microparticle, or nanoparticle)) that is suitable foradministration to a subject and that is capable of inducing an immuneresponse against at least one virus (e.g., at least two, three, four, ormore different viruses or viral strains) or that treats autoimmunedisease or cancer or reduces or ameliorates one or more symptoms ofautoimmune disease or cancer. For the purposes of this invention,pharmaceutical compositions suitable for delivering a therapeutic orbiologically active agent can include, e.g., tablets, gelcaps, capsules,pills, powders, granulates, suspensions, emulsions, solutions, gels,hydrogels, oral gels, pastes, eye drops, ointments, creams, plasters,drenches, delivery devices, suppositories, enemas, injectables,implants, sprays, or aerosols. Any of these formulations can be preparedby well-known and accepted methods of art. See, for example, Remington:The Science and Practice of Pharmacy (21^(st) ed.), ed. A. R. Gennaro,Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2005, and Encyclopedia of PharmaceuticalTechnology, ed. J. Swarbrick, Informa Healthcare, 2006, each of which ishereby incorporated by reference.

By “pharmaceutically acceptable diluent, excipient, carrier, oradjuvant” is meant a diluent, excipient, carrier, or adjuvant which isphysiologically acceptable to the subject while retaining thetherapeutic properties of the pharmaceutical composition with which itis administered. One exemplary pharmaceutically acceptable carrier isphysiological saline. Other physiologically acceptable diluents,excipients, carriers, or adjuvants and their formulations are known toone skilled in the art.

By “recombinant,” with respect to a vector, such as a viral vector, ismeant a vector (e.g., a viral genome that has been incorporated into oneor more delivery vehicles (e.g., a plasmid, cosmid, etc.)) that has beenmanipulated in vitro, e.g., using recombinant nucleic acid techniques,to introduce changes to the vector (e.g., to include heterologousnucleic acid sequences (such as IFN (e.g., conIFN-α) in a viral genome(e.g., a replication deficient Ad5 genome)). An example of a recombinantviral vector of the invention is a vector that includes all or part ofthe adenovirus (e.g., adenovirus strain 5 (Ad5)) genome and thatincludes the nucleic acid sequence for all or part of, e.g., a cytokinegene sequence, such as an interferon-α gene (e.g., the consensus IFN-αsequence).

By “room temperature” is meant a temperature of about 5° C. to about 30°C., in particular from about 10° C. to about 27° C. (e.g., about 23-27°C.).

The term “substantial identity” or “substantially identical,” when usedin the context of comparing a polynucleotide or polypeptide sequence toa reference sequence, means that the polynucleotide or polypeptidesequence has the same sequence as the reference sequence or has aspecified percentage of nucleotides or amino acid residues that are thesame at the corresponding locations within the reference sequence whenthe two sequences are optimally aligned. For instance, an amino acidsequence that is “substantially identical” to a reference sequence hasat least about 60% identity, preferably 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%,91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or higher percentageidentity (up to 100%) to the reference sequence when compared andaligned for maximum correspondence over the full length of the referencesequence as measured using a BLAST or BLAST 2.0 sequence comparisonalgorithms with default parameters, or by manual alignment and visualinspection (see, e.g., NCBI web site).

By “treating” is meant administering a pharmaceutical composition of theinvention for prophylactic and/or therapeutic purposes. Prophylactictreatment may be administered, for example, to a subject who is not yetill, but who is susceptible to, or otherwise at risk of, a particularbiological condition, e.g., infection by a bacteria, virus, fungus, orparasite (e.g., the subject may already have been exposed to theinfectious agent but is asymptomatic or the level of exposure to theinfectious agent is unknown), or the development of autoimmune diseaseor cancer. Therapeutic treatment may be administered, for example, to asubject already suffering from contact with a biological agent in orderto improve or stabilize the subject's condition (e.g., a patient alreadyinfected with a pathogenic virus) or a subject already suffering from anautoimmune disease or cancer. Thus, in the claims and embodimentsdescribed herein, treating is the administration to a subject either fortherapeutic or prophylactic purposes. In some instances, as comparedwith an equivalent untreated control, treatment may ameliorate adisorder (e.g., infection by a pathogen, such as a virus, autoimmunedisease, and cancer) or a symptom of the disorder, or reduce theprogression, severity, or frequency of one or more symptoms of thedisorder by, e.g., 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%,or 100% as measured by any standard technique. For example, formeasuring symptoms of infection, one may use, e.g., blood tests to checkfor antibodies directed against the pathogen or for the antigensthemselves; cultures for samples of blood, bodily fluid, or othermaterial taken from the infected area; spinal tap to examinecerebrospinal fluid; polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques toamplify nucleic acid material from the pathogen; magnetic and resonanceimaging (MRI) to detect increased swelling in the temporal lobes).Symptoms of pathogenic infection, which may vary from mild to severe andmay depend on what part of the body is affected, the type of pathogen,and the age and overall health of the affected person, include, e.g.,fever, muscle aches, coughing, sneezing, runny nose, sore throat,headache, chills, diarrhea, vomiting, rash, weakness, dizziness,bleeding under the skin, in internal organs, or from body orifices likethe mouth, eyes, or ears, shock, nervous system malfunction, delirium,seizures, renal (kidney) failure, personality changes, neck stiffness,dehydration, seizures, lethargy, paralysis of the limbs, confusion, backpain, loss of sensation, impaired bladder and bowel function, andsleepiness that can progress into coma or death. In some instances,treating can result in the inhibition of the pathogenic infection, thetreatment of the infection, and/or the amelioration of symptoms of theinfection (e.g., hemorrhagic fever). Detecting an improvement in, or theabsence of, one or more symptoms of the infection, indicates successfultreatment. Treatment can also be confirmed by the absence of, or theinability to detect the presence of, the pathogen (e.g., a virus) in thetreated subject.

For the treatment or prophylaxis of autoimmune disease, one can measure,e.g., decreased levels of autoantibodies, decreased levels ofautoreactive T cells, increase of targeted cells (e.g., pancreaticβ-islet cells), and improvements in fatigue, depression, sensitivity tocold, weight gain, muscle weakness, constipation, insomnia,irritability, weight loss, bulging eyes, muscle tremors, skin rashes,painful or swollen joints, sensitivity to the sun, loss of coordination,and paralysis.

For the treatment or reduction of cancer, one can measure reductions inthe size of a tumor or in the number of cancer cells, the slowing orprevention of an increase in the size of a tumor or cancer cellproliferation, an increase in the disease-free survival time between thedisappearance of a tumor or other cancer and its reappearance, theprevention of an initial or subsequent occurrence of a tumor or othercancer, or the reduction of an adverse symptom associated with a tumoror other cancer. In a desired embodiment, the percent of tumor orcancerous cells surviving the treatment is at least 20, 40, 60, 80, or100% lower than the initial number of tumor or cancerous cells, asmeasured using any standard assay (e.g., caspase assays, TUNEL and DNAfragmentation assays, cell permeability assays, and Annexin V assays).Desirably, the decrease in the number of tumor or cancerous cellsinduced by administration of an agent of the invention is at least 2, 5,10, 20, or 50-fold greater than the decrease in the number of non-tumoror non-cancerous cells. Desirably, the methods of the present inventionresult in a decrease of 20, 40, 60, 80, or 100% in the size of a tumoror in the number of cancerous cells, as determined using standardmethods. Desirably, at least 20, 40, 60, 80, 90, or 95% of the treatedsubjects have a complete remission in which all evidence of the tumor orcancer disappears. Desirably, the tumor or cancer does not reappear orreappears after at least 5, 10, 15, or 20 years.

A subject to be treated according to the methods described herein (e.g.,a subject infected with, or at risk of being infected with, a bacterium,virus, fungus, or parasite) may be one who has been diagnosed by amedical practitioner as having such a condition. Diagnosis may beperformed by any suitable means. A subject in whom the development of aninfection is being prevented may or may not have received such adiagnosis. One skilled in the art will understand that a subject to betreated according to the present invention may have been subjected tostandard tests or may have been identified, without examination, as oneat high risk due to the presence of one or more risk factors (e.g.,exposure to a biological agent, such as a virus).

By “viral vector” is meant a composition that includes one or more genesfrom a viral species, such as an adenoviral species (e.g., Ad5), that isable to transmit one or more heterologous genes from a viral ornon-viral source to a host or subject. The nucleic acid material of theviral vector may be encapsulated, e.g., in a lipid membrane or bystructural proteins (e.g., capsid proteins), that may include one ormore viral polypeptides (e.g., a glycoprotein). The viral vector can beused to infect cells of a subject (e.g., nasal epithelium), which, inturn, promotes the translation of the heterologous gene(s) of the viralvector into a protein product (e.g., IFN-α).

Alternatively, the viral vector can be administered to a subject so thatit infects one or more cells of the subject, which then promotesexpression of the one or more heterologous genes of the viral vector andstimulates an immune response (directly or indirectly) that isprotective against infection by a pathogen (e.g., bacteria, virus,fungus, or parasite) or that treats infection by the pathogen.

The term “vaccine,” as used herein, is defined as material used toprovoke an immune response and confer immunity after administration ofthe vaccine to a subject.

The term “virus,” as used herein, is defined as an infectious agent thatis unable to grow or reproduce outside a host cell and that infectsmammals (e.g., humans) or birds.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thedetailed description and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a table providing comparative amino acid sequences of humanleukocyte interferon subtypes and a consensus human leukocyteinterferon.

FIG. 2 is a schematic showing insertion of the nucleic acid moleculeencoding consensus interferon-alpha (conINF-α) into an adenoviralvector.

FIG. 3 is a schematic showing delivery of an Ad5-conIFN-α construct ofthe invention to the nasal epithelial cells of a patient, expression ofthe conIFN-α nucleic acid molecule in the cells, and release of IFNpolypeptide into the bloodstream of the patient.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the benefits of an Ad5-conIFN-α construct ofthe invention.

FIG. 5 is a table summarizing the results of experiments (in theindicated animal model) using compositions of the invention to treat orprevent infection by the indicated virus.

FIG. 6 is a graph showing the effect of intranasal (IN) Ad5-IFNαtreatment on survival outcome in hamsters challenged with Punta Torovirus (PTV). Animals in each group were treated once 24 hours prior toIN instillation with PTV with the indicated amount of Ad5-IFNα or emptyvector virus particles. Ribavirin treatment was i.p. once daily for 6days starting 4 hours prior to PTV infection. *P<0.05, **P<0.01 comparedto PBS vehicle placebo-treated animals. ^(a)<0.001 as compared toEV-treated animals.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are graphs showing the effect of IN Ad5-IFNα treatmenton survival outcome in mice challenged with WEE virus. Animals in eachgroup were treated with 10⁷ PFU Ad5-IFNα, as per the groups outlined inExample 9 below, and challenged with WEE virus via IN instillation. IFNαB/D was given daily as a positive control group.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are graphs showing the effect of IN Ad5-IFNα treatmenton survival outcome in mice challenged with SARS virus. FIG. 8A showsthe results of prophylyaxis: Animals in each group were treated with 10⁶PFU Ad5-IFNα, as per the groups outlined in Example 10 below, andchallenged with SARS virus via IN instillation. FIG. 8B shows theresults of treatment: Animals in each group were treated with 10⁶ or 10⁵PFU Ad5-IFNα as per the groups outlined in Example 10 below, andchallenged with SARS virus via IN instillation Poly IC/LC was used as apositive control group, with saline as negative control.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are graphs showing the effect of IN Ad5-IFNα treatmenton survival outcome in mice challenged with YF virus. FIG. 9A shows theresults of dose range prophylyaxis: Animals were treated with Ad5-IFNαas per the groups outlined in Example 11 below, and challenged with YFvirus via IN instillation. Complete protection was observed at the twohighest doses, with a dose response curve for the lower doses. FIG. 9Bshows the results of treatment: Animals in each group were treated with5×10⁷ PFU Ad5-IFNα, as per the groups outlined in Example 11 below, andchallenged with SARS virus via IN instillation Complete survival wasobserved for the −4 hr and +1 dpi groups with a drop in survivalcorrelated with delayed treatment in other groups.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are graphs showing the effect of IN Ad5-IFNα treatmenton survival outcome in mice challenged with ZEBOV. FIG. 10A shows theresults of mouse treatment: Animals were challenged with 100 LD50 EBOVand 30 minutes later treated with Ad5-IFNα by either the 1M or 1N route.Complete protection was observed with 10⁷ PFU with both routes ofadministration. FIG. 10B shows the results of guinea pig treatment:Animals were challenged with 100 LD50 EBOV and 30 minutes later treatedwith Ad5-IFNα IN. Complete protection was observed with 2×10⁸ PFU.

FIG. 11 is a graph showing the effect of IN Ad5-IFNα treatment onsurvival outcome in mice challenged with Pichinde virus. Animals weretreated with Ad5-IFNα, as per the groups outlined in Example 13 below,and challenged with PCV via IN instillation. Complete protection wasobserved at the highest dose, with a dose response curve at lower doses.

FIG. 12 is a graph showing the effect of IN Ad5-IFNα treatment inconjunction with Ad-EBOV vaccine on survival outcome in mice challengedwith EBOV. Animals were treated with Ad5-IFNα, as per the groupsoutlined in Example 14 below, and challenged with PCV via INinstillation. Complete protection was observed at the highest dose, witha dose response curve at lower doses.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention features compositions and methods for the prophylaxis(pre- or post-exposure) and treatment of diseases or disorders caused byan infectious pathogen (e.g., infectious agents, such as viruses,bacteria, fungi, and parasites) in a subject (e.g., a mammal, such as ahuman). The infectious pathogen may be naturally occurring or it may beformulated for, or adapted to, use as a biological agent. The inventionalso features the use of the compositions of the invention to treat orreduce one or more symptoms of autoimmune disease and cancer in asubject (e.g., a mammal, such as a human).

The compositions of the invention can be used as, e.g., a broad-spectrumprophylaxis or treatment to guard against or treat infection by severaldifferent infectious pathogens, in particular, viral agents. Ofparticular note, the compositions of the invention can be administeredfor pre-exposure prophylaxis (e.g., 1-30 minutes (e.g., 15-30 minutes)before exposure, preferably 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6-12, 24-72 hours beforeexposure, or 1-6 weeks or more (e.g., at least 2 weeks) before exposureto an infectious agent), as well as for post-exposure prophylaxis ortreatment (e.g., immediately after exposure, e.g., 1-30 minutes (e.g.,15-30 minutes) after exposure, or within 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6-12, 24, 48, or72 hours or 1-2 weeks after exposure to an infectious agent). Thus, thecompositions of the invention provide benefits in the prophylaxis ortreatment, respectively, of a subject in anticipation of, or following,e.g., exposure to an infectious pathogen (e.g., a virus, such as duringa bioterrorist attack). The benefits include both long-lastingprotection as well as rapid protection, as needed.

In order to circumvent the fast decay of traditional IFN-α protein-baseddrugs in vivo, the compositions of the invention utilize a deliveryvector (e.g., a viral vector, such as an adenoviral vector (e.g., anadenovirus 5 (Ad5) delivery platform)) that is capable of delivering anucleic acid molecule encoding IFN, which drives the continuous in situproduction of IFN (e.g., human IFN-α, such as consensus IFN-α (conIFN-α)) by cells transduced or transfected with the delivery vector. Theproduction of IFN continues in the transduced or transfected cell (e.g.,for the life of the cell).

For example, a nucleic acid molecule encoding IFN-α is inserted into thereplication defective Ad5 virus, and the Ad5-IFN-α vector is thendelivered to a subject (e.g., a mammal, such as a human). In anembodiment, delivery of the viral vector is intranasal. Intranasaladministration of the compositions of the invention prevents the hostimmune system from recognizing the Ad5 vector, thereby bypassing anypre-existing immunity the subject might typically present against thedelivery vector itself. In addition, intranasal administration avoidsthe use of needles, which allows for easier, less invasiveadministration in the event mass administration to the public is neededin response to, e.g., a bioterrorist attack, or in the absence of readyaccess to a medical facility. Compositions of the invention can also bedelivered to the pulmonary system (e.g., the upper and/or lowerrespiratory tract) by delivery to the lungs through the mouth.

The compositions of the invention also provide benefit due to theirlong-term storage potential and extended shelf life. The compositions ofthe invention can be stored at room temperature for significant periodsof time (e.g., for at least 1 week and up to 1 year or more).Alternatively, the compositions of the invention can be stored attemperatures in the range of 30°-55° C. (e.g., at 45° C.) forsignificant periods of time (e.g., for at least 2-3 days, 1-3 week, 1-6months, and up to 1 year or more). In an embodiment, the compositions ofthe invention are in powder form when stored at temperatures in therange of 30°-55° C. In yet other embodiments, the compositions of theinvention can be stored frozen (e.g., at temperatures below at least 4°C. (e.g., in the range of 0° to −20° C.)), either in a powder or liquidform. For example, the compositions can be stored frozen as anon-stabilized, liquid formulation (e.g., without any or with only oneor a few stabilizing agents, such as, e.g., trehalose, sorbitol,sucrose, mannitol, glycine, CaCl₂, hydroxiectoin, ectoin, firoin andgelatin).

In an embodiment, the compositions of the invention are stored as astable lyophilized powder. The powder can be used directly (e.g., inpowder form without reconstitution of any kind) or reconstituted justbefore use (e.g., using a hydration medium, such as saline or water,preferably sterilized, or any other pharmaceutically acceptablehydration medium) and administered as, e.g., an aqueous mist.Reconstitution of powder forms of the compositions of the invention ispossible where clean water is available, such as a medical facility orrear echelons in the military. Alternatively, the powder compositions ofthe invention can be reconstituted in a gel form. Nasal gels arehigh-viscosity thickened solutions or suspensions. The advantages of anasal gel includes the reduction of post-nasal drip due to highviscosity, reduction of taste impact due to reduced swallowing,reduction of anterior leakage of the formulation, reduction ofirritation by using soothing/emollient excipients, and target to mucosafor better absorption.

The powder form of compositions of the invention can be provided in akit with a vial of sterile hydrating medium (e.g., water or saline) thatcan be used to reconstitute the powder (e.g., to form a liquid or gel).If water is to be used as the hydrating medium, the composition of theinvention can but need not be formulated to include reagents (e.g.,buffers) that adjust the conditions of the composition in its final form(e.g., the pH, osmolarity, or ionic concentration) so that it issuitable for, or tolerable to, a subject administered the composition.

Administration of the compositions of the invention in powder form ismore likely in, e.g., emerging economies, expeditionary militaryoperations, and in rapid response situations. For those compositions ofthe invention that are not formulated to exhibit an extended shelf lifeat room temperature or at higher temperatures (e.g., those compositionsof the invention that exhibit a shelf life of less than 1 week whenstored at room temperature), it is preferable that the compositions bestored at a temperature in the range of about −20° C. to about 20° C. toextend shelf life. These compositions may be formulated with anexcipient that does not stabilize the Ad5-IFN delivery vehicle such thatit can only remain at room temperature for periods of less than, e.g., 1week to 1 month, unless refrigerated.

Compositions of the invention (e.g., an Ad5-IFNα construct) have beentested successfully to date in animal models of human disease, such asmouse, Guinea pig, and hamster models, against challenges fromrepresentative viruses from important viral families, e.g., Filoviridae(Ebola virus, Zaire strain), Flaviviridae (Yellow Fever), Arenaviridae(Pichinde), Bunyaviridae (Punta Toro), Coronaviridae (SARS), Togaviridae(VEEV and WEEV); see FIG. 5. The compositions of the invention have anexcellent treatment profile and a good prophylactic window with dataindicating full protection to 21 days with partial protection at furthertime points. Compositions of the invention are fast acting, and impartboth therapeutic and prophylactic benefits to the recipient withinminutes to hours; the benefits of the compositions of the inventionremain effective for days and even months after administration.

Compositions of the Invention

The compositions of the invention include a delivery vector containing anucleic acid molecule encoding a cytokine (e.g., an IFN, such asconIFN-α). The compositions of the invention may be formulated for anyroute of administration (e.g., the administration routes describedherein, such as by nasal inhalation and/or inhalation through the mouthfor delivery to the upper and/or lower respiratory tract). Thecompositions may be administered in a single dose or in multiple dosesto a subject in need thereof, either pre- or post-exposure to aninfectious pathogen or prior to the diagnosis of, or after developmentof symptoms of, autoimmune disease or cancer. The compositions of theinvention may also further include secondary agents (either as a nucleicacid molecule to be expressed by a cell of the subject or as apolypeptide or drug) or they may be administered in combination with oneor more additional therapeutic regimens (e.g., vaccines), as isdiscussed below.

Interferons

The compositions of the invention for use in the pre- or post-exposureprophylaxis or treatment, respectively, of a pathogenic infection (e.g.,a viral, bacterial, fungal, or parasitic infection) or for use in thetreatment of autoimmune disease or cancer (or one or more symptomsthereof) include a delivery vector containing a nucleic acid moleculeencoding an IFN. The nucleic acid molecule encodes an interferon havingan amino acid sequence substantially identical (e.g., at least 70%, 75%,80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or even 100% identical) to thesequence of a human IFN-α (e.g., IFN-α-1a, IFN-α-1b, IFN-α-2a, IFN-α-2b,and consensus IFN-α (conIFN-α); FIG. 1), a human IFN-β (e.g., IFN-β-1aand IFN-β-1b), a human IFN-γ), or an IFN-τ or a polypeptide thatdemonstrates the same or similar biological activity to an interferon(e.g., at least 50%, 60%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, or 100% of theactivity of a human IFN-α, a human IFN-β, a human IFN-γ, an IFN-τ, or aconIFN-α (SEQ ID NOs: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 11, respectively). The nucleicacid molecule may have the sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:1, 3, 5, 7, or 9 corresponding to a human IFN-α, a human IFN-β, a humanIFN-γ, or an IFN-τ, respectively, or the nucleic acid molecule may havea sequence having at least 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%,99%, or even 100% identity to one of SEQ ID NOs: 1, 3, 5, 7, or 9.

The biological activity of an interferon of the invention can beconfirmed using, e.g., a virus-plaque-reduction assay, assays thatmeasure the inhibition of cell proliferation, the regulation offunctional cellular activities, the regulation of cellulardifferentiation, and immunomodulation mediated by IFN, as well as areporter gene assay, in which the promoter region of IFN responsivegenes is linked with a heterologous reporter gene, for example, fireflyluciferase or alkaline phosphatase, and transfected into anIFN-sensitive cell line such that stably transfected cell lines exposedto IFN increase expression of the reporter gene product in directrelation to the dose of IFN (see, e.g., Balducci et al., Appl.Microbiol. 11:310-314, 1963; McNeil, J. Immunol. Methods 46:121-127,1981; and Meager et al., J. Immunol. Methods 261:21-36, 2002). Otherassays for measuring the activity of IFN include measuring theupregulation or activity of the double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-dependentprotein kinase R (PKR), the 2′-5′-oligoadenylate synthetase (2′-5′-OAS),IFN-inducible Mx proteins, a tryptophan-degrading enzyme (see, e.g.,Pfefferkorn, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 81:908-912, 1984), adenosinedeaminase (ADAR1), IFN-stimulated gene 20 (ISG20), p 56, ISG15, mGBP2,GBP-1, the APOBEC proteins, viperin, or other factors (see, e.g., Zhanget al., J. Virol., 81:11246-11255, 2007, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,442,527,which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety).

Interferon alpha (IFN-α), as used herein, refers to a cytokine withmultiple biological activities that include antiviral activity,regulation of cell proliferation and differentiation andimmunomodulation, as exemplified in, e.g., Pfeffer et al. (Cancer Res.58:2489-2499, 1998). In an embodiment of the invention, the IFN-α may beselected from, e.g., IFN-α2a, IFN-α2b, IFN-α2c, and consensus IFN-α(conIFN-α) (see FIG. 4 and, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,695,623, incorporatedherein by reference). In an embodiment, the IFN-α is conIFN-α.

Unlike the compositions of the invention, recombinant human IFN, inparticular rhconIFN-α, which is fully approved and marketed as Infergen®for the treatment of chronic Hepatitis C, is made via prokaryoticfermentation, and thus lacks glycosylation. Moreover, Infergen® isformulated for administration via injection into patients.

Viral Vectors

In the invention described herein, the interferon (e.g., IFN-α, such asconIFN-α) can be formulated for delivery using a viral vector thatincludes a nucleic acid molecule encoding the interferon. Any suitableviral vector system can be used including, e.g., adenoviruses (e.g.,Ad2, Ad5, Ad9, Ad15, Ad17, Ad19, Ad20, Ad22, Ad26, Ad27, Ad28, Ad30, orAd39; see, e.g., FIG. 2), rhabdoviruses (e.g., vesicular stomatitisvirus), retroviruses (see, e.g., Miller, Curr. Top. Microbiol. Immunol.158:1-24, 1992; Salmons and Gunzburg, Human Gene Therapy 4:129-141,1993; and Miller et al., Methods in Enzymology 217:581-599, 1994),adeno-associated vectors (reviewed in Carter, Curr. Opinion Biotech.3:533-539, 1992; and Muzcyzka, Curr. Top. Microbiol. Immunol.158:97-129, 1992), poxviruses, herpes viral vectors, and Sindbis viralvectors (see viral vectors discussed generally in, e.g., Jolly, CancerGene Therapy 1:51-64, 1994; Latchman, Molec. Biotechnol. 2:179-195,1994; Johanning et al., Nucl. Acids Res. 23:1495-1501, 1995; Berencsi etal., J. Infect. Dis. 183:1171-1179, 2001; Rosenwirth et al., Vaccine19:1661-1670, 2001; Kittlesen et al., J. Immunol. 164:4204-4211, 2000;Brown et al., Gene Ther. 7:1680-1689, 2000; Kanesa-thasan et al.,Vaccine 19:483-491, 2000; and Sten Drug 60:249-271, 2000. Compositionscomprising such vectors and an acceptable excipient are also a featureof the invention.

Ad5 is a virus of the family Adenoviridae, species C, subtype 5. Thisvirus is naturally occurring and causes mild upper respiratoryinfections, usually in children. Ad5 can be used as a delivery platformto deliver the genetic information to make human interferon in situ.Typically, the Ad5 is rendered replication defective (by specific genedeletion; e.g., all or a portion of the E1 or E3 genes). Ad5 vectoredvaccines have been approved for clinical studies widely in the past. Ad5is widely used in clinical trials as a vector delivery system. As ofJune 2010, there are currently 29 clinical trials that are currentlyactive using Ad5 vectored delivery of biologics/drugs. Adenovirus 5based vectors exhibit an excellent safety profile. The Ad5 vector hasadditional benefits over conventional vaccines such as live-attenuatedvaccines, a type of vaccine where pathogenic viruses are partiallycrippled via chemical or heat treatment prior to injection, in thatthere is no risk the Ad5 system could revert and cause illness. Further,Ad5 is a live vaccine which has been shown to provide prompt immunologicprotection. Ad5-based vectors for delivery of cytokine genes forproviding protection against biological weapons is described in, e.g.,U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,565,853 and 6,936,257, both of which are incorporatedherein by reference.

Intravenous or intramuscular administration of agents for biodefensemedical counter measure indications using the Ad5 system have previouslyfailed because the body's immune system recognizes this viral vector anddestroys the vector before the gene has been delivered to a host cell.This occurred most recently with Merck's HIV-1 vaccine clinical trial,which resulted in the study being halted early on the grounds offutility (see Robb, Lancet 372, 2008). Intranasal administration ofcompositions of the invention (e.g., an Ad5-vector encoding IFN)circumvents this problem by avoiding the body's immune targeting of theAd5 vector, as is discussed herein.

The viral vector may be constructed using conventional techniques knownto one of skill in the art. For example, the viral vector may contain atleast one sequence encoding a heterologous gene (e.g., consensus IFN-α),which is under the control of regulatory sequences that direct itsexpression in a cell (e.g., an epithelial cells, such as a nasal orpulmonary epithelial cell). Appropriate amounts for vector-mediateddelivery of the heterologous gene can be readily determined by one ofskill in the art based on the information provided herein.

The delivery of IFN-α using an adenoviral vector is described in, e.g.,Ahmed et al. (J. Interferon Cytokine Res. 21: 399408, 2001), Zhang etal. (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 93:4513-4518, 1996), Ahmed (Hum. GeneTher. 10:77-84, 1999), and Santodonato et al. (Cancer Gene Ther.8:63-72, 2001). The delivery of IFN-α using a retroviral vector isdescribed in, e.g., Tuting et al. (Gene Ther. 4:1053-1060, 1997) andMecchia et al. (Gene Ther. 7:167-179, 2000).

In an embodiment, the Ad5 vector contains a nucleic acid moleculeencoding human interferon alpha consensus sequence under thetranscriptional regulation of the intermediate-early promoter of CMV andSimian virus 40 (SV40) polyadenylation sequence. In another embodiment,the human Ad5 vector includes E1 and E3 deletions to render itreplication deficient. The Ad5-IFN-α vector can be further stabilizedwith an excipient of polysaccharides and electrolytes duringlyophilization and storage, as is described herein. As adenoviruses arefragile to thermal stress and maintenance of the cold chain in the fieldis onerous, the temperature stability of the compositions of theinvention impart a significant advantage. We have developed a systematicprocess for the stabilization of viral-based vaccines, includingadenoviruses, based on a novel eigenvector approach (see, e.g., Kueltzoet al., J. Pharm. Sci. 92:1805-1820, 2003; Fan et al., J. Pharm. Sci.94:1893-1911, 2005; Ausar et al., Mol. Pharm. 2:491-499, 2005; andRexroad et al., J. Pharm. Sci. 95:237-247, 2005). Multiple assays arethen used to identify a number of potential excipients that are testedfor their ability to stabilize the virus against physical and chemicaldegradation pathways that result in loss of activity (e.g.physicochemical integrity, biological activity, etc.).

An increase in the expression level of a transfected nucleic acidmolecule (e.g., the con IFN-α sequence) in a host cell (e.g., anepithelial cell, such as a nasal or pulmonary epithelial cell) can bepromoted by operably linking the nucleic acid molecule to an open frameexpression control sequence, which can work in the selected expressionhost. Expression control sequences useful for eukaryotic host cells canbe a native or foreign to the nucleic acid molecule to be expressed, aswell as to the delivery vector. Examples of expression control sequencesinclude, but are not limited to, leader sequences, polyadenylationsequences, propeptide sequences, promoters, enhancers, upstreamactivation sequences, signal peptide sequences, and transcriptiontermination factors. Expression control sequences include those derivedfrom, e.g., SV40 (e.g., early and late promoters of SV40), bovinepapilloma virus, adenovirus (e.g., early and late promoters ofadenovirus), cytomegalovirus (CMV; e.g., the human cytomegalovirus earlygene promoter), MT-1 (metallothioneine gene) promoter, Rous sarcomavirus (RSV) promoter, and human Ubiquitine C (UbC) promoter. In order tofurther improve expression in mammalian cells, synthetic intronsequences can be inserted into a non-transcription region of anucleotide sequence encoding the IFN-α polypeptide.

Other vector components that can be used in practicing the presentinvention include a signal peptide. This sequence is typically locatedat the 5′ of a gene encoding a protein and is thus added to the aminoterminus of the protein during expression. The presence or absence of asignal peptide varies depending on the expression host cell to be usedin production of the IFN-α polypeptide and the preference of producing asecreted product (i.e., according to whether the IFN-α polypeptide is tobe expressed intra-cellularly or extra-cellularly). In an embodiment,the IFN-α (e.g., the conIFN-α) is secreted from the host cell duringexpression. The signal peptide can be homologous or heterologous toeither the IFN-α polypeptide or the host cell.

A nucleic acid molecule is “operably linked” to another nucleic acidmolecule when they are arranged in a functional relationship. This meansthat an appropriate molecule (for example, a transcription activator)binds to a regulatory sequence(s), a gene, or a regulatory sequence(s)linked in such a way that the expression of the nucleic acid molecule ismodulated. For example, when a pre-sequence or secretory leaderparticipates in secretion of a mature protein, they are operably linkedto the promoter. When a promoter affects transcription of a codingsequence, the promoter is operably linked to the coding sequence. When aribosomal binding site is located at a place capable of being read as acoding sequence, the ribosomal binding site is operably linked to thecoding sequence. Generally “operably linked” means in contact with alinked nucleic acid molecule and a secretory leader and to be in areading frame.

Non-Viral Vectors

Non-viral approaches can also be employed to introduce a therapeuticnucleic acid molecule (e.g., an IFN-α-encoding nucleic acid molecule)into cells to treat or prevent pathogenic infection (e.g., viralinfection) or to treat or reduce the symptoms of autoimmune disease orcancer. For example, a heterologous gene (e.g., an interferon, such asIFN-α (e.g., consensus IFN-α) can be introduced into a cell (e.g., anepithelial cell, such as a nasal or pulmonary epithelial cell) bylipofection (see, e.g., Felgner et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA84:7413, 1987; Ono et al., Neuroscience Letters 17:259, 1990; Brigham etal., Am. J. Med. Sci. 298:278, 1989; Staubinger et al., Methods inEnzymology 101:512, 1983), asialoorosomucoid-polylysine conjugation(see, e.g., Wu et al., Journal of Biological Chemistry 263:14621, 1988;Wu et al., Journal of Biological Chemistry 264:16985, 1989), or, lesspreferably, micro-injection under surgical conditions (see, e.g., Wolffet al., Science 247:1465, 1990). Gene transfer can also be achieved bythe use of calcium phosphate, DEAE dextran, electroporation, andprotoplast fusion. Liposomes, microparticles, or nanoparticles can alsobe potentially beneficial for delivery of a nucleic acid molecule (e.g.,an IFN-α-encoding nucleic acid molecule) or a protein into a cell orinto a patient in order to stimulate an immune response against apathogen (e.g., a virus). Other non-viral methods of delivering IFN-αare described in, e.g., Coleman et al., Hum. Gene Ther. 9:2223-2230,1998, and Horton et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 96:1553-1558, 1999).

Methods of Prophylaxis or Treatment of Pathogenic Infection UsingCompositions of the Invention

The pharmaceutical compositions of the invention can be used as genetherapy and/or genetic vaccines for treating or inhibiting infection bypathogens, such as bacteria, viruses, fungus, and parasites. Inparticular, the compositions of the invention can be used to treat (pre-or post-exposure) infection by viruses (e.g., a member of theFlaviviridae family (e.g., a member of the Flavivirus, Pestivirus, andHepacivirus genera), which includes the hepatitis C virus, Yellow fevervirus; Tick-borne viruses, such as the Gadgets Gully virus, Kadam virus,Kyasanur Forest disease virus, Langat virus, Omsk hemorrhagic fevervirus, Powassan virus, Royal Farm virus, Karshi virus, tick-borneencephalitis virus, Neudoerfl virus, Sofjin virus, Louping ill virus andthe Negishi virus; seabird tick-borne viruses, such as the Meaban virus,Saumarez Reef virus, and the Tyuleniy virus; mosquito-borne viruses,such as the Aroa virus, dengue virus, Kedougou virus, Cacipacore virus,Koutango virus, Japanese encephalitis virus, Murray Valley encephalitisvirus, St. Louis encephalitis virus, Usutu virus, West Nile virus,Yaounde virus, Kokobera virus, Bagaza virus, Ilheus virus, Israel turkeymeningoencephalo-myelitis virus, Ntaya virus, Tembusu virus, Zika virus,Banzi virus, Bouboui virus, Edge Hill virus, Jugra virus, Saboya virus,Sepik virus, Uganda S virus, Wesselsbron virus, yellow fever virus; andviruses with no known arthropod vector, such as the Entebbe bat virus,Yokose virus, Apoi virus, Cowbone Ridge virus, Jutiapa virus, Modocvirus, Sal Vieja virus, San Perlita virus, Bukalasa bat virus, CareyIsland virus, Dakar bat virus, Montana myotis leukoencephalitis virus,Phnom Penh bat virus, Rio Bravo virus, Tamana bat virus, and the Cellfusing agent virus; a member of the Arenaviridae family, which includesthe Ippy virus, Lassa virus (e.g., the Josiah, LP, or GA391 strain),lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV), Mobala virus, Mopeia virus,Amapari virus, Flexal virus, Guanarito virus, Junin virus, Latino virus,Machupo virus, Oliveros virus, Paraná virus, Pichinde virus, Piritalvirus, Sabiá virus, Tacaribe virus, Tamiami virus, Whitewater Arroyovirus, Chapare virus, and Lujo virus; a member of the Bunyaviridaefamily (e.g., a member of the Hantavirus, Nairovirus, Orthobunyavirus,and Phlebovirus genera), which includes the Hantaan virus, Sin Nombrevirus, Dugbe virus, Bunyamwera virus, Rift Valley fever virus, La Crossevirus, Punta Toro virus (PTV), California encephalitis virus, andCrimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) virus; a member of theFiloviridae family, which includes the Ebola virus (e.g., the Zaire,Sudan, Ivory Coast, Reston, and Uganda strains) and the Marburg virus(e.g., the Angola, Ci67, Musoke, Popp, Ravn and Lake Victoria strains);a member of the Togaviridae family (e.g., a member of the Alphavirusgenus), which includes the Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEE),Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEE), Western equine encephalitisvirus (WEE), Sindbis virus, rubella virus, Semliki Forest virus, RossRiver virus, Barmah Forest virus, O'nyong'nyong virus, and thechikungunya virus; a member of the Poxyiridae family (e.g., a member ofthe Orthopoxvirus genus), which includes the smallpox virus, monkeypoxvirus, and vaccinia virus; a member of the Herpesviridae family, whichincludes the herpes simplex virus (HSV; types 1, 2, and 6), human herpesvirus (e.g., types 7 and 8), cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Ban virus(EBV), Varicella-Zoster virus, and Kaposi's sarcomaassociated-herpesvirus (KSHV); a member of the Orthomyxoviridae family,which includes the influenza virus (A, B, and C), such as the H5N1 avianinfluenza virus or H1N1 swine flu; a member of the Coronaviridae family,which includes the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) virus; amember of the Rhabdoviridae family, which includes the rabies virus andvesicular stomatitis virus (VSV); a member of the Paramyxoviridaefamily, which includes the human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV),Newcastle disease virus, hendravirus, nipahvirus, measles virus,rinderpest virus, canine distemper virus, Sendai virus, humanparainfluenza virus (e.g., 1, 2, 3, and 4), rhinovirus, and mumps virus;a member of the Picornaviridae family, which includes the poliovirus,human enterovirus (A, B, C, and D), hepatitis A virus, and thecoxsackievirus; a member of the Hepadnaviridae family, which includesthe hepatitis B virus; a member of the Papillamoviridae family, whichincludes the human papilloma virus; a member of the Parvoviridae family,which includes the adeno-associated virus; a member of the Astroviridaefamily, which includes the astrovirus; a member of the Polyomaviridaefamily, which includes the JC virus, BK virus, and SV40 virus; a memberof the Calciviridae family, which includes the Norwalk virus; a memberof the Reoviridae family, which includes the rotavirus; and a member ofthe Retroviridae family, which includes the human immunodeficiency virus(HIV; e.g., types 1 and 2), and human T-lymphotropic virus Types I andII (HTLV-1 and HTLV-2, respectively)).

The pharmaceutical compositions include vectors encoding IFN (e.g.,IFN-α, such as conIFN-α) that can be administered in vivo or ex vivo.

IFN-α is one of the earliest cytokines released by theantigen-presenting cell as part of the innate immune response and isdirectly responsible for NK and T cell responsiveness, which drives thesubsequent immune response. NK cells are one of the first professionalkilling cells to arrive in the early antiviral immune response. Inaddition, IFN-α appears to be the principle cytokine mediating expansionof CD8+ T cells. Because of the early response of IFN-α in the immunecascade, its primary role is suggested to be to induce a priming stateduring the initial response to infection, and it has been shown that lowdose IFN-α results in increased protection from a viral challenge (see,e.g., Brassard et al., J. Leuk. Biol. 71:565-581, 2002).

In addition, interferon induces the expression of MX proteins, which are7-80 kDa proteins with GTPase activity that affect viral replication byinterfering with transcription (i.e., they inhibit viral RNApolymerases) of influenza and other negative strand RNA viruses(Acheson, In “Fundamentals of Molecular Virology,” J. Wiley and Sons,Hoboken N.J., 2007).

Interferon also induces the expression of ribonuclease L, which degradesviral (and host) mRNA, and thus leads to an inhibition of viralreplication by suppression of viral protein synthesis. (Acheson, 2007).Thus, the expression of IFN-α in the transduced/transfected cells (e.g.,epithelial cells) of a subject provides prophylaxis and/or treatment ofpathogenic infection by, in part, activating these and other pathwaysthat stimulate the subject's immune response and protect the subject,pre- and post-exposure, against pathogenic (e.g., viral) infection.

The pharmaceutical compositions of the invention act via a two-stepprocess: administration and expression. For example, after intranasaladministration, the Ad5 virus enters the epithelial cells of the upperand/or lower respiratory tract and transports the IFN-α nucleic acidmolecule to the nucleus. Next, the IFN-α nucleic acid molecule istranscribed and the resulting mRNA is translated, post-translationallymodified with glycosylation, expressed as a mature IFN-α cytokine on thecell surface. The adenovirus itself does not replicate as it has beenrendered replication deficient. Once the IFN-α is expressed on the cellsurface, it functions in the same manner as naturally in situ-producedIFN-α.

Accordingly, the vectors can be used to transduce or transfect asubject's cells in vivo (e.g., epithelial cells, such as nasal orpulmonary epithelial cells) by administering the vector in a dosage andform discussed herein (e.g., as an aerosolized powder, liquid mist, orgel) to the subject (e.g., via intranasal or pulmonary administration)to provide prophylaxis and/or treatment of pathogenic infection.Alternatively, cells can be removed from the subject and transduced ortransfected ex vivo with the vector encoding IFN and those cells can bereturned to the subject to provide prophylaxis and/or treatment ofpathogenic infection. In an embodiment, cells of the subject are removedand treated ex vivo with the Ad5-IFN-α vector of the invention. Thecells are then administered to the patient, pre- or post-exposure, totreat or inhibit pathogenic infection. Preferably at least about 1×10⁴to about 10×10⁶ cells are treated and reintroduced to the subject.

In an embodiment, a sufficient amount of the pharmaceutical compositionis administered to a subject to achieve a peak blood level of IFN-α dueto expression from the transfected/transduced cells of at least betweenabout 0.0001 to 5.0×10⁵ IU/ml, preferably between about 0.0002 to2.0×10⁵ IU/mL, and most preferably between about 0.0005 to 1.0×10⁵ IU/mL(see, e.g., NIBSC code: 94/784 and 94/786; WHO International Standardfor INTERFERON ALPHA, (Human leukocyte-derived); dated 14 Feb. 2008;Meager et al., J. Immunol. Methods 257:17-33, 2001; and Mire-Sluis etal., J. Interferon Cytokine Res. 16:637-643, 1996). In anotherembodiment, the amount of circulating IFN-α is between about 100 IU/mland 1,000 IU/ml (e.g., about 250 IU/ml). Preferably, the circulatinglevels of IFN-α remain within this range for at least 1 to 15 days, orat least 1, 2, 3, or 4 weeks, or at least 2-6 months. The expressionlevels of IFN-α can be determined by measuring the amount of IFN-α in,e.g., the subject's serum (see, e.g., Forti et al., J. Clin. Microbiol.21:689-693, 1985). In other embodiments, the anti-viral effects of IFN-αremain evident in the subject for at least 1, 2, 3, or 4 weeks, morepreferably for at least 2, 4, or 6 months, and most preferably for 1year or more. The anti-viral effects of IFN-α can be determined bymeasuring the upregulation or activity of the double-stranded RNA(dsRNA)-dependent protein kinase R (PKR), the 2′-5′-oligoadenylatesynthetase (2′-5′-OAS), IFN-inducible Mx proteins, atryptophan-degrading enzyme (see, e.g., Pfefferkorn, Proc. Natl. Acad.Sci. USA 81:908-912, 1984), adenosine deaminase (ADAR1), IFN-stimulatedgene 20 (ISG20), p 56, ISG15, mGBP2, GBP-1, the APOBEC proteins,viperin, or other factors (see, e.g., Zhang et al., J. Virol.,81:11246-11255, 2007). Assays for measuring the anti-viral effects ofIFN-α can be found in, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 7,442,527, which isincorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

Upon administration of the pharmaceutical composition including theIFN-α delivery vector (e.g., an Ad5 delivery vector), e.g., to nasal orpulmonary epithelial cells, the nucleic acid molecule encoding IFN-αincorporates into the cells. These cells then produce IFN-α during thecourse of their lifespan until death or apoptosis, thereby allowing forexpression of human IFN-α lasting for several hours, days, or weeks ormore (e.g., about 1-15 days, 1-4 weeks, or 2-6 months) compared to hoursfor exogenously administered rhIFN-α. Furthermore, the IFN producedfrom, e.g., an Ad5-hIFN vector will be fully glycosylated unlike therhIFN-α currently being commercially prepared by eukaryotic fermentation(i.e., Infergen® (Alfacon; DIN 2239832)). In addition, the therapeuticeffects (e.g., anti-viral effects) of IFN-α can extend for at least 1,2, 3, or 4 weeks, more preferably for at least 2, 4, or 6 months, andmost preferably for 1 year or more.

Naturally occurring IFN-α is glycosylated. Most rhIFN products are notglycosylated as they are made via prokaryotic fermentation. Due to thelocation of the glycosylation sites, there is no risk of impedingreceptor binding with the addition of glycosylation. However, thepharmacokinetics of glycosylated and unglycosylated IFN-α may well bedifferent, and the stability of the protein may be influenced byglycosylation, as is the case for human granulocyte-macrophagecolony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF; see Adolf et al. (Biochem. J.276:511-518, 1991). Further, the immunogenicity of rhIFN-α might beaffected by the lack of glycosylation. Gribben et al. have reported thatfour out of 16 patients receiving rhGM-CSF produced in yeast developedantibodies to this protein; these antibodies reacted with epitopes thatwere exposed in the recombinant factor, but would have been protected byglycosylation (see Gribben et al., Lancet 335:434-437, 1990). Inductionof antibodies to non-glycosylated rhIFN-α after prolonged treatment ofpatients has been described, and it has been speculated that naturalIFN-α may be less immunogenic than the recombinant proteins (see Figlinand Itri, Semin. Hematol. 25:9-15, 1988, and Galton et al., Lancet2:572-573, 1989).

Although there is evidence using all forms of IFN (e.g., α, β, ω, γ)that glycosylation does not appear to affect the specificantiviral/biological activity of the protein (see Bocci, Trends BiochemSci 8:432-434, 1983, and Adolf et al., Biochem J. 276:511-518, 1991), itis believed that glycosylation of IFN may be important for otherreasons. There are studies specifically working on differenttranslational methods to manufacture fully glycosylated hIFNα ex vivo(see, e.g., Rossmann et al., Prot. Exp. Purif. 7:335-342, 1996), andpatents filed protecting these methods (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos.7,445,774; 7,338,654; 7,311,903; and 7,129,390). Thus, glycosylation isclearly a desirable factor in IFN. The pharmaceutical compositions ofthe invention, which deliver a vector that promotes expression of afully glycosylated hIFN in situ, will likely result in a protein withmore stability and less immunogenic effects than currently administeredrhIFN polypeptides lacking glycosylation, while maintaining the samelevel of therapeutic (e.g., antiviral) activity.

Expression of IFN-α (e.g., conIFN-α) in the cells of a subjecttransfected/transduced with the delivery vector of the inventionprovides fast acting protection to the subject against pathogenicinfection (e.g., viral infection). The IFN-α delivery vector of theinvention is fast acting because the Ad5 vector incorporates intoepithelial cells (e.g., nasal or pulmonary epithelial cells), journeyingfrom the cell surface to the nucleus within 30 minutes. The IFN-αdelivery vector of the invention is particularly effective whenadministered, e.g., intranasally, because the nasal cavity has a largesurface area (100-200 cm square), which allows the Ad5 delivery vectorto penetrate into millions of upper and/or lower respiratory epithelialcells. Once incorporated, the epithelial cells begin to generate theIFN-α (e.g., conIFN-α) as if it was endogenous to the cell; the IFN-α isexpressed on the cell surface and it is secreted into the hostcirculation.

Expression of IFN-α typically occurs within 24 hours or less (e.g., asearly as 3 hours) after administration of the delivery vector. Thisresult is beneficial, especially in cases where rapid treatment responseis preferable (e.g., viral outbreaks in the public arena or insituations where a pathogen has been intentionally released (e.g.,against military personnel deployed on the frontline)). The IFN-αdelivery vector of the invention provides medical personnel in thepublic sector, as well as military planners and others with the abilityto act quickly when responding to various operational threat situationswhere there may be uncertainty as to the presence of an infectiouspathogen. For example, today, military planners will not deploy intoareas with endemic pathogenic risks without the proper vaccinations.This delays greatly the ability of the military, law enforcement agents,or local emergency coordinator (LEC) to respond promptly to globalthreats. The pharmaceutical compositions of the invention can be used tomitigate those risks and speed the response time against pathogenicexposure or outbreaks.

The compositions of the invention may be administered in a single doseor in multiple doses separately from or coextensively with othertherapies for pathogenic infection (e.g., vaccines), or as a stand-alonetherapy. The compositions of the invention may, but need not, alsoinclude additional therapeutic agents. These additional therapeuticagents can also be encoded as nucleic acid molecules in the same or adifferent delivery vector (e.g., a viral vector) and expressed as apolypeptide with the IFN or they can be administered as polypeptides ordrugs with the compositions of the invention, e.g., as a singlepharmaceutical composition or in separate pharmaceutical compositions.

The compositions of the invention can be administered to a subject(e.g., a human), pre- or post-exposure to a pathogenic infection (e.g.,a viral infection), to treat, prevent, ameliorate, inhibit theprogression of, or reduce the severity of one or more symptoms of thepathogenic infection in the subject. Examples of the symptoms ofpathogenic infection, in particular, viral infection, that can betreated using the compositions of the invention include, e.g., fever,muscle aches, coughing, sneezing, runny nose, sore throat, headache,chills, diarrhea, vomiting, rash, weakness, dizziness, bleeding underthe skin, in internal organs, or from body orifices like the mouth,eyes, or ears, shock, nervous system malfunction, delirium, seizures,renal (kidney) failure, personality changes, neck stiffness,dehydration, seizures, lethargy, paralysis of the limbs, confusion, backpain, loss of sensation, impaired bladder and bowel function, andsleepiness that can progress into coma or death. These symptoms, andtheir resolution during treatment, may be measured by, e.g., a physicianduring a physical examination or by other tests and methods known in theart.

The dose of the compositions of the invention (e.g., the number ofIFN-encoding delivery vectors, viral or otherwise) or the number oftreatments using the compositions of the invention may be increased ordecreased based on the severity of, occurrence of, or progression of,the pathogenic infection in the patient (e.g., based on the severity ofone or more symptoms of, e.g., viral infection).

Uses

IFN is known to be effective against a broad range of pathogens, inparticular, viruses. Hence the pharmaceutical compositions of thisinvention are referred to as a “Broad Spectrum Antiviral.” Virusesagainst which the compositions of the invention can be used include thefollowing: a member of the Flaviviridae family (e.g., a member of theFlavivirus, Pestivirus, and Hepacivirus genera), which includes thehepatitis C virus, Yellow fever virus; Tick-borne viruses, such as theGadgets Gully virus, Kadam virus, Kyasanur Forest disease virus, Langatvirus, Omsk hemorrhagic fever virus, Powassan virus, Royal Farm virus,Karshi virus, tick-borne encephalitis virus, Neudoerfl virus, Sofjinvirus, Louping ill virus and the Negishi virus; seabird tick-borneviruses, such as the Meaban virus, Saumarez Reef virus, and the Tyuleniyvirus; mosquito-borne viruses, such as the Aroa virus, dengue virus,Kedougou virus, Cacipacore virus, Koutango virus, Japanese encephalitisvirus, Murray Valley encephalitis virus, St. Louis encephalitis virus,Usutu virus, West Nile virus, Yaounde virus, Kokobera virus, Bagazavirus, Ilheus virus, Israel turkey meningoencephalo-myelitis virus,Ntaya virus, Tembusu virus, Zika virus, Banzi virus, Bouboui virus, EdgeHill virus, Jugra virus, Saboya virus, Sepik virus, Uganda S virus,Wesselsbron virus, yellow fever virus; and viruses with no knownarthropod vector, such as the Entebbe bat virus, Yokose virus, Apoivirus, Cowbone Ridge virus, Jutiapa virus, Modoc virus, Sal Vieja virus,San Perlita virus, Bukalasa bat virus, Carey Island virus, Dakar batvirus, Montana myotis leukoencephalitis virus, Phnom Penh bat virus, RioBravo virus, Tamana bat virus, and the Cell fusing agent virus; a memberof the Arenaviridae family, which includes the Ippy virus, Lassa virus(e.g., the Josiah, LP, or GA391 strain), lymphocytic choriomeningitisvirus (LCMV), Mobala virus, Mopeia virus, Amapari virus, Flexal virus,Guanarito virus, Junin virus, Latino virus, Machupo virus, Oliverosvirus, Paraná virus, Pichinde virus, Pirital virus, Sabiá virus,Tacaribe virus, Tamiami virus, Whitewater Arroyo virus, Chapare virus,and Lujo virus; a member of the Bunyaviridae family (e.g., a member ofthe Hantavirus, Nairovirus, Orthobunyavirus, and Phlebovirus genera),which includes the Hantaan virus, Sin Nombre virus, Dugbe virus,Bunyamwera virus, Rift Valley fever virus, La Crosse virus, Punta Torovirus (PTV), California encephalitis virus, and Crimean-Congohemorrhagic fever (CCHF) virus; a member of the Filoviridae family,which includes the Ebola virus (e.g., the Zaire, Sudan, Ivory Coast,Reston, and Uganda strains) and the Marburg virus (e.g., the Angola,Ci67, Musoke, Popp, Ravn and Lake Victoria strains); a member of theTogaviridae family (e.g., a member of the Alphavirus genus), whichincludes the Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEE), Eastern equineencephalitis virus (EEE), Western equine encephalitis virus (WEE),Sindbis virus, rubella virus, Semliki Forest virus, Ross River virus,Barmah Forest virus, O'nyong'nyong virus, and the chikungunya virus; amember of the Poxyiridae family (e.g., a member of the Orthopoxvirusgenus), which includes the smallpox virus, monkeypox virus, and vacciniavirus; a member of the Herpesviridae family, which includes the herpessimplex virus (HSV; types 1, 2, and 6), human herpes virus (e.g., types7 and 8), cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV),Varicella-Zoster virus, and Kaposi's sarcoma associated-herpesvirus(KSHV); a member of the Orthomyxoviridae family, which includes theinfluenza virus (A, B, and C), such as the H5N1 avian influenza virus orH1N1 swine flu; a member of the Coronaviridae family, which includes thesevere acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) virus; a member of theRhabdoviridae family, which includes the rabies virus and vesicularstomatitis virus (VSV); a member of the Paramyxoviridae family, whichincludes the human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), Newcastle diseasevirus, hendravirus, nipahvirus, measles virus, rinderpest virus, caninedistemper virus, Sendai virus, human parainfluenza virus (e.g., 1, 2, 3,and 4), rhinovirus, and mumps virus; a member of the Picornaviridaefamily, which includes the poliovirus, human enterovirus (A, B, C, andD), hepatitis A virus, and the coxsackievirus; a member of theHepadnaviridae family, which includes the hepatitis B virus; a member ofthe Papillamoviridae family, which includes the human papilloma virus; amember of the Parvoviridae family, which includes the adeno-associatedvirus; a member of the Astroviridae family, which includes theastrovirus; a member of the Polyomaviridae family, which includes the JCvirus, BK virus, and SV40 virus; a member of the Calciviridae family,which includes the Norwalk virus; a member of the Reoviridae family,which includes the rotavirus; and a member of the Retroviridae family,which includes the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV; e.g., types 1 and2), and human T-lymphotropic virus Types I and II (HTLV-1 and HTLV-2,respectively).

Particular indications that are contemplated for the pharmaceuticalcompositions of the invention, and which are currently being or havebeen evaluated in conjunction with the Division of Microbiology andInfectious Disease (DMID), part of the National Institute of Allergy andInfectious Disease (NIAID), include: Dengue, Punta Toro (a BSL-2surrogate for Rift Valley Fever), monkeypox, Flu A (H5N1 and H1N1),SARS, Yellow Fever, Pichinde (a BSL-2 surrogate for Lassa Fever),Western Equine Encephalitis, Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis, and WestNile Virus. In broader terms, the IFN-α delivery vector andpharmaceutical compositions containing it will be effective against, atleast, the following viral families: Alphaviridae, Filoviridae,Flaviviridae, Orthomyxoviridae, Bunyaviridae, Arenaviridae,Herpesviridae, Hepadnaviridae, Coronaviridae, and Poxyiridae (seeExamples).

A significant proportion of the human population has been exposed tomany adenoviral strains, including Ad5. Thus, there is a goodprobability the immune system of any potential recipient of thepharmaceutical compositions of the invention has “seen” Ad5 before andwould be able to quickly mount an immune response to it. This was thecase with the MRKAd5 HIV-1 gag/pol/nef HIV vaccine, which was tested onHIV negative patients in a phase II clinical trial in 2008. This trial,which utilized injections, resulted in “futility,” meaning there was noprotection seen: the levels of infection in inoculated subjects was thesame as non-inoculated ones (Buchbinder et al., Lancet 372:1881-1893,2008). Positive serostatus for Ad5 was significantly associated withacquisition (Robb, Lancet 372:1857-1858, 2008), and the design of thevaccine is “at the centre of the study's failure” (White, Lancet373:805, 2009). Thus, Ad5 vectored vaccines were thought to be uselessdue to the high probability of pre-existing immunity. Indeed, allmilitary personnel are actively vaccinated with Ad4 and Ad7 vaccinesduring basic training medical preparation following enlistment.

To circumvent pre-existing immunity to the delivery vector, the IFN-αdelivery vector of the invention, and pharmaceutical compositionscontaining it, can be administered via, e.g., a pulmonary or intranasalroute, which avoids problems with pre-existing immunity to the deliveryvector. This is believed to be due to the lack of contact between thevector (e.g., the adenoviral vector (e.g., Ad5)) and the immune system(e.g., the immune components in blood), as the vector incorporates into,e.g., epithelial cells directly upon administration. These epithelialcells act as a functional barrier to the cells and antibodies of theimmune system. Thus, the delivery vector is not exposed to thecirculation; only the IFN is released into the bloodstream with notraces of the vector remaining (see FIG. 3).

Methods of Prophylaxis or Treatment of Autoimmune Disease or CancerUsing the Compositions of the Invention

The pharmaceutical compositions of the invention can also be used asgene therapy and/or genetic vaccines for treating or reducing one ormore symptoms of autoimmune disease and cancer. The mechanism of actionof the compositions of the invention described above applies equally totheir use in this context.

Interferons exhibit both antiviral and antiproliferative activity. IFN-αis currently approved in the United States and other countries for thetreatment of hairy cell leukemia, venereal warts, Kaposi's Sarcoma, andchronic non-A, non-B hepatitis. Two variants of IFN-α have receivedapproval for therapeutic use: Interferon alfa-2a, marketed under thetrade name ROFERON™-A, and Interferon alfa-2b, marketed under the tradename INTRON™ A. The amino acid sequences of ROFERON™-A and INTRON™ Adiffer at a single position but otherwise are identical to the aminoacid sequence of alpha-interferon subtype 2 (subtype A).

In addition to the labeled indications, IFN-α is being used or evaluatedalone or in conjunction with chemotherapeutic agents in a variety ofother cellular proliferation disorders, including chronic myelogenousleukemia, multiple myeloma, superficial bladder cancer, skin cancers(basal cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma), renal cell carcinoma,ovarian cancer, low grade lymphocytic and cutaneous T cell lymphoma, andglioma. IFN-α may be effective in combination with other chemotherapyagents for the treatment of solid tumors that arise from lung,colorectal and breast cancer (see Rosenberg et al. “Principles andApplications of Biologic Therapy” in Cancer: Principles and Practices ofOncology, 3rd ed., Devita et al., eds. pp. 301-547 (1989), Balmer DICP,Ann Pharmacother 24, 761-768 (1990)).

BETASERON™ (Schering Corp's recombinant interferon beta-1b) was thefirst drug indicated specifically for the treatment of MS. In a majorclinical trial, BETASERON™ was found to be effective in reducing thenumber and severity of exacerbations, or relapses, suffered by MSpatients, as well as decreasing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)evidence of MS activity in the brain. Importantly, the results of thetrial pertained only to the relapsing-remitting patient group, sinceother forms of MS were not represented in the trial. Moreover, the trialdemonstrated no beneficial effect of the drug on ultimate disability ofMS over the 2 to 3 years of the study, and the effectiveness of the drugis significantly impaired by its side effects. U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,105,154;5,372,808; 5,846,526; 6,204,022; 6,060,450; and 6,361,769 also describethe use of IFN therapy for treating autoimmune diseases and cancer; eachof these publications is incorporated herein by reference). U.S. Pat.No. 7,442,380 describes the treatment of autoimmune diseases caused byviral infection using interferons.

Thus, the compositions of the invention (e.g., an Ad5-IFNα) can beadministered to a subject (e.g., a human) to treat or reduce one or moresymptoms of autoimmune disease (e.g., multiple sclerosis, type Idiabetes, lupus, Addison's disease, myasthenia gravis, and amyotrophiclateral sclerosis) or cancer in the subject. Examples of the symptoms ofautoimmune disease that can be treated or reduced using the compositionsof the invention include, e.g., increased levels of autoantibodies,increased levels of autoreactive T cells, loss of targeted cells (e.g.,pancreatic β-islet cells), fatigue, depression, sensitivity to cold,weight gain, muscle weakness, constipation, insomnia, irritability,weight loss, bulging eyes, muscle tremors, skin rashes, painful orswollen joints, sensitivity to the sun, loss of coordination, andparalysis. These symptoms, and their resolution during treatment, may bemeasured by, e.g., a physician during a physical examination or by othertests and methods known in the art.

The dose of the compositions of the invention (e.g., the number ofIFN-encoding delivery vectors, viral or otherwise) or the number oftreatments using the compositions of the invention may be increased ordecreased based on the severity of, occurrence of, or progression of,the disease or symptoms in the patient.

Additional Therapeutic Regimens

If desired, the subject may also receive additional therapeuticregimens. For example, an additional therapeutic agent may be admixedinto a single formulation together with the pharmaceutical compositionsdescribed herein at concentrations known to be effective for suchtherapeutic agents. Additional therapeutic agents may also be deliveredseparately. When agents are present in different pharmaceuticalcompositions, different routes of administration may be employed.Particularly useful therapeutic agents include, e.g., antiviral agents,immunostimulatory agents, and other immunization vaccines. When treatingcancer with the compositions of the invention, particularly usefuladditional therapeutic agents include chemotherapeutic agents, such as,e.g., camptothecin, homocamptothecin, colchicine, thiocolchicine,combretastatin, dolastatin, doxorubicin, methotrexate, podophyllotoxin,rhizoxin, rhizoxin D, a taxol, paclitaxel, CC1065, and a maytansinoid.

In some instances, the pharmaceutical composition and additionaltherapeutic agents are administered at least one hour, two hours, fourhours, six hours, 10 hours, 12 hours, 18 hours, 24 hours, three days,seven days, fourteen days, or one month apart. The dosage and frequencyof administration of each component can be controlled independently. Theadditional therapeutic agents described herein may be admixed withadditional active or inert ingredients, e.g., in conventionalpharmaceutically acceptable carriers. A pharmaceutical carrier can beany compatible, non-toxic substance suitable for the administration ofthe compositions of the invention to a subject. Pharmaceuticallyacceptable carriers include, for example, water, saline, buffers andother compounds, described, for example, in the Merck Index, Merck &Co., Rahway, N.J. A slow release formulation or a slow release apparatusmay be also be used for continuous administration. The additionaltherapeutic regimen may involve other therapies, including modificationto the lifestyle of the subject being treated.

Antiviral Agents

Antiviral agents may be used as an additional therapeutic agent, eitherin combination with the vaccine or in a separate administration.Exemplary antiviral agents are abacavir, aciclovir, acyclovir, adefovir,amantadine, amprenavir, arbidol, atazanavir, atripla, brivudine,cidofovir, combivir, darunavir, delavirdine, didanosine, docosanol,edoxudine, efavirenz, emtricitabine, enfuvirtide, entecavir, entryinhibitors, famciclovir, fixed dose combinations, fomivirsen,fosamprenavir, foscarnet, fosfonet, fusion inhibitors, ganciclovir,gardasil, ibacitabine, immunovir, idoxuridine, imiquimod, indinavir,inosine, integrase inhibitors, interferon type III, interferon type II,interferon type I, interferon, lamivudine, lopinavir, loviride, MK-0518,maraviroc, moroxydine, nelfinavir, nevirapine, nexavir, nucleosideanalogues, oseltamivir, penciclovir, peramivir, pleconaril,podophyllotoxin, protease inhibitors, reverse transcriptase inhibitors,ribavirin, rimantadine, ritonavir, saquinavir, stavudine, synergisticenhancers, tenofovir, tenofovir disoproxil, tipranavir, trifluridine,trizivir, tromantadine, truvada, valaciclovir, valganciclovir,vicriviroc, vidarabine, viramidine, zalcitabine, zanamivir, andzidovudine. Exemplary antiviral agents are listed in, e.g., U.S. Pat.Nos. 6,093,550 and 6,894,033, hereby incorporated by reference.

Anti-Bacterial Agents

The compositions of the invention (e.g., Ad5-IFNα) can be administeredwith an anti-bacterial agent, such as an antibiotic, e.g., one or morepenicillins, cephalosporins, aminoglycosides, macrolides, sulfacompounds, fluoroquinolones, or tetracyclines. Other examples ofanti-bacterial agents include penicillin G, penicillin V, methicillin,nafcillin, oxacillin, cloxacillin, dicloxacillion, ampicillin,amoxicillin, bacampicillin, cyclacillin, carbenicillin indanyl,ticarcillin, mezlocillin, piperacillin, cephalothin, cefazolin,cephapirin, cephradine, cephalexin, cefadroxil, cefamandole nafate,cefuroxime, cefonicid, ceforanide, cefaclor, cefoxitin, cefotetan,cefmetazole, cefataxime, ceftizoxime, ceftriaxone, ceftazidime,cefoperazone, moxalactam, cefixime, erythromycin, stearate,ethylsuccinate, estolate, lactobionate, gluceptate, azithromycin,clarithromycin oxytetracycline, demeclocycline, doxycycline,minocycline, amikacin sulfate, gentamicin sulfate, intrathecal,kanamycin sulfate, netilmicin sulfate, streptomycin sulfate, tobramycinsulfate, neomycin sulfate, sulfadiazine, sulfamethizole, sulfisoxazole,sulfisoxazole acetyl, sulfamethoxazole, trisulfapyrimidines,phenazopyridine, erythromycin ethylsuccinate, Trimethoprim,Ciprofloxacin, Ciprofloxacin hydrochloride, enoxacin, Lomefloxacinhydrochloride, Norfloxacin, Ofloxacin, vancomycin hydrochloride,teicoplanin, rifampin, metronidazole, metronidazole hydrochloride,polmyxins, bacitracin, methenamine, methenamine hippurate, methenaminemandelate, nitrofurantoin, phenazopyridine hydrochloride, silvernitrate, acetic acid, Domeboro solution, m-cresyl acetate, Colymycin Sotic, cortisporin, tridesilon, ciclopiroxolamine, clioquinol,griseofulvin, fulvicin, grisactin, grisactin ultra, grifulvin V,halaprogin, pyrithione zinc, selenium sulfide, tolnaftate, undecylenicacid, naftfine, terbinafind, imidazole, econazole, ketoconazole,miconaxole nitrate, Monistat-Derm, oxiconazole nitrate, sulconazolenitrate, bis-triazoles, intraconazole, amphotericin B, nystatin,mycolstatin, nilstat, butoconazole, clotrimazole, tioconazold,fluconazole, intraconazole, terconazole, nystatin, mycostatin, O-VStatin, cantharidin, intralesional, podophyllin resin, podofilox,salicylic acid, benzylbenzoate, crotamiton, lindane, malathion,permethrin, phrethrins, piperonyl butoxide, sulfur, isoniazid,pyrazinamide, ethambutol, capreomycin sulfate, cycloserine, ethambutolhydrochloride, ethionamide, clofazimine, dapsone, ethionamide,itraconazole, potassium iodide flucytosine, chloroquine phosphate,hydroxychloroquine phosphate, chloroquine hydrochloride, quininesulfate, pyrimethamine/sulfadoxine, mefloquine, quinidine gluconate,dilozanide furoate, eflornithine hydrochloride, furazolidone,iodoquinol, melarsoprol, metronidazole, nifurtimox, paramomycin sulfate,pentamidine isethionate, primaquine phosphate, quinine sulfate, sodiumstibogluconate, meglumine antimoniate, trimetrexate glucuronate,pyrimethamine, albendazole, diethycicarbamazine citrate, ivermectin,mebendazole, metrifonate, niclosamide, oxamniquine, pyrantel pamoate,suramin sodium, thiabendazole, cytarabine, idoxuridine, trifluridine,vidarabine, acyclovir, Zidovudine, ribavirin, bromovinyldeoxyuridine,fluoroiodoaracytosine, amantadine, acemannan, amphotericin B methyl,Ampligen, castanospermine, soluble CD₄, dextran sulfate,dideoxycytidine, dideoxyinosine, didihydrodideoxythymidine, foscarnetsodium, fusidic acid, HPA-23, isoprinosine, penicillamine, peptide T,ribavirin, rifabutin, didanosine, zalcitabine, and the like.

Immunostimulatory Agents

Immunogenicity of the pharmaceutical compositions of the invention maybe significantly improved if the compositions of the present invention(e.g., Ad5-IFNα) are co-administered with an immunostimulatory agent oradjuvant. Exemplary immunostimulatory agents include aluminum phosphate,aluminum hydroxide, QS21, Quil A (and derivatives and componentsthereof), calcium phosphate, calcium hydroxide, zinc hydroxide,glycolipid analogs, octodecyl esters of an amino acid, muramyldipeptides, polyphosphazene, lipoproteins, ISCOM matrix, DC-Chol, DDA,cytokines, and other adjuvants and derivatives thereof.

Immunization Vaccines

In some instances, it may be desirable to combine the compositions ofthe present invention with compositions that induce protective responsesagainst other viruses. For example, the compositions of the presentinvention (e.g., Ad5-IFNα) can be administered simultaneously,separately, or sequentially with an immunization vaccine, such as avaccine for, e.g., influenza, malaria, tuberculosis, smallpox, measles,rubella, mumps, or any other vaccines known in the art.

For example, the vaccine can be, e.g., a bacterial, viral, fungal, orparasite vaccine known in the art for treating a bacterial, viral,fungal, or parasitic agent, respectively. The vaccine may be directedagainst a bacterium selected from Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonellatyphimurium, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Bruscella,Burkholderia mallei, Yersinia pestis, and Bacillus anthracis; a virusselected from a member of the Flaviviridae family (e.g., a member of theFlavivirus, Pestivirus, and Hepacivirus genera), which includes thehepatitis C virus, Yellow fever virus; Tick-borne viruses, such as theGadgets Gully virus, Kadam virus, Kyasanur Forest disease virus, Langatvirus, Omsk hemorrhagic fever virus, Powassan virus, Royal Farm virus,Karshi virus, tick-borne encephalitis virus, Neudoerfl virus, Sofjinvirus, Louping ill virus and the Negishi virus; seabird tick-borneviruses, such as the Meaban virus, Saumarez Reef virus, and the Tyuleniyvirus; mosquito-borne viruses, such as the Aroa virus, dengue virus,Kedougou virus, Cacipacore virus, Koutango virus, Japanese encephalitisvirus, Murray Valley encephalitis virus, St. Louis encephalitis virus,Usutu virus, West Nile virus, Yaounde virus, Kokobera virus, Bagazavirus, Ilheus virus, Israel turkey meningoencephalo-myelitis virus,Ntaya virus, Tembusu virus, Zika virus, Banzi virus, Bouboui virus, EdgeHill virus, Jugra virus, Saboya virus, Sepik virus, Uganda S virus,Wesselsbron virus, yellow fever virus; and viruses with no knownarthropod vector, such as the Entebbe bat virus, Yokose virus, Apoivirus, Cowbone Ridge virus, Jutiapa virus, Modoc virus, Sal Vieja virus,San Perlita virus, Bukalasa bat virus, Carey Island virus, Dakar batvirus, Montana myotis leukoencephalitis virus, Phnom Penh bat virus, RioBravo virus, Tamana bat virus, and the Cell fusing agent virus; a virusselected from a member of the Arenaviridae family, which includes theIppy virus, Lassa virus (e.g., the Josiah, LP, or GA391 strain),lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV), Mobala virus, Mopeia virus,Amapari virus, Flexal virus, Guanarito virus, Junin virus, Latino virus,Machupo virus, Oliveros virus, Paraná virus, Pichinde virus, Piritalvirus, Sabiá virus, Tacaribe virus, Tamiami virus, Whitewater Arroyovirus, Chapare virus, and Lujo virus; a virus selected from a member ofthe Bunyaviridae family (e.g., a member of the Hantavirus, Nairovirus,Orthobunyavirus, and Phlebovirus genera), which includes the Hantaanvirus, Sin Nombre virus, Dugbe virus, Bunyamwera virus, Rift Valleyfever virus, La Crosse virus, Punta Toro virus (PTV), Californiaencephalitis virus, and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) virus; avirus selected from a member of the Filoviridae family, which includesthe Ebola virus (e.g., the Zaire, Sudan, Ivory Coast, Reston, and Ugandastrains) and the Marburg virus (e.g., the Angola, Ci67, Musoke, Popp,Ravn and Lake Victoria strains); a member of the Togaviridae family(e.g., a member of the Alphavirus genus), which includes the Venezuelanequine encephalitis virus (VEE), Eastern equine encephalitis virus(EEE), Western equine encephalitis virus (WEE), Sindbis virus, rubellavirus, Semliki Forest virus, Ross River virus, Barmah Forest virus,O'nyong'nyong virus, and the chikungunya virus; a member of thePoxyiridae family (e.g., a member of the Orthopoxvirus genus), whichincludes the smallpox virus, monkeypox virus, and vaccinia virus; amember of the Herpesviridae family, which includes the herpes simplexvirus (HSV; types 1, 2, and 6), human herpes virus (e.g., types 7 and8), cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), Varicella-Zostervirus, and Kaposi's sarcoma associated-herpesvirus (KSHV); a member ofthe Orthomyxoviridae family, which includes the influenza virus (A, B,and C), such as the H5N1 avian influenza virus or H1N1 swine flu; amember of the Coronaviridae family, which includes the severe acuterespiratory syndrome (SARS) virus; a member of the Rhabdoviridae family,which includes the rabies virus and vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV); amember of the Paramyxoviridae family, which includes the humanrespiratory syncytial virus (RSV), Newcastle disease virus, hendravirus,nipahvirus, measles virus, rinderpest virus, canine distemper virus,Sendai virus, human parainfluenza virus (e.g., 1, 2, 3, and 4),rhinovirus, and mumps virus; a member of the Picornaviridae family,which includes the poliovirus, human enterovirus (A, B, C, and D),hepatitis A virus, and the coxsackievirus; a member of theHepadnaviridae family, which includes the hepatitis B virus; a member ofthe Papillamoviridae family, which includes the human papilloma virus; amember of the Parvoviridae family, which includes the adeno-associatedvirus; a member of the Astroviridae family, which includes theastrovirus; a member of the Polyomaviridae family, which includes the JCvirus, BK virus, and SV40 virus; a member of the Calciviridae family,which includes the Norwalk virus; a member of the Reoviridae family,which includes the rotavirus; and a member of the Retroviridae family,which includes the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV; e.g., types 1 and2), and human T-lymphotropic virus Types I and II (HTLV-1 and HTLV-2,respectively); or a fungus selected from Aspergillus, Blastomycesdermatitidis, Candida, Coccidioides immitis, Cryptococcus neoformans,Histoplasma capsulatum var. capsulatum, Paracoccidioides brasiliensis,Sporothrix schenckii, Zygomycetes spp., Absidia corymbifera, Rhizomucorpusillus, and Rhizopus arrhizus; or parasite selected from Toxoplasmagondii, Plasmodium falciparum, P. vivax, P. ovale, P. malariae,Trypanosoma spp., and Legionella spp.

Examples of vaccines known in the art that can be administered incombination with the compositions of the present invention (e.g., theAd5-IFNα constructs described herein) include AVA (BioThrax) foranthrax; VAR (Varivax) and MMRV (ProQuad) for chickenpox; DTaP(Daptacel, Infanrix, Tripedia), Td (Decavaca, generic), DT (-generic-),Tdap (Boostrix, Adacel), DTaP-IPV (Kinrix), DTaP-HepB-IPV (Pediarix),DTaP-IPV/Hib (Pentacel), and DTaP/Hib (TriHIBit) for Diphtheria; HepA(Havrix, Vaqta) and HepA-HepB (Twinrix) for Hepatitis A; HepB(Engerix-B, Recombivax HB), Hib-HepB (Comvax), DTaP-HepB-IPV (Pediarix),and HepA-HepB (Twinrix) for Hepatitis B; Hib (ActHIB, PedvaxHlB,Hiberix), Hib-HepB (Comvax), DTaP/Hib (TriHIBit), and DTaP-IPV/Hib(Pentacel) for Haemophilus influenzae type b; HPV4 (Gardasil) and HPV2(Cervarix) for Human Papillomavirus (HPV); TIV (Afluria, Agriflu,FluLaval, Fluarix, Fluvirin, Fluzone) and LAIV (FluMist) for Influenza;JE (Ixiaro and JE-Vax) for Japanese encephalitis (JE); MMR (M-M-R II)and MMRV (ProQuad) for Measles; MCV4 (Menactra), MPSV4 (Menomune), andMODC (Menveo) for Meningitis; MMR (M-M-R II) and MMRV (ProQuad) forMumps; DTaP (Daptacel, Infanrix, Tripedia), Tdap (Adacel, Boostrix),DTaP-IPV (Kinrix), DTaP-HepB-IPV (Pediarix), DTaP-IPV/Hib (Pentacel),and DTaP/Hib (TriHIBit) for Pertussis; PCV7 (Prevnar), PCV13(Prevnar13), and PPSV23 (Pneumovax 23) for Bacterial Pneumonia; Polio(Ipol), DTaP-IPV (Kinrix), DTaP-HepB-IPV (Pediarix), and DTaP-IPV/Hib(Pentacel) for Polio; Rabies (Imovax Rabies and RabAvert); RV1 (Rotarix)and RV5 (RotaTeq) for Rotavirus; MMR (M-M-R II) and MMRV (ProQuad) forRubella; ZOS (Zostavax) for Shingles; Vaccinia (ACAM2000, Dryvax) forSmallpox and Monkeypox; DTaP (Daptacel, Infanrix, Tripedia), Td(Decavac, generic), DT (-generic-), TT (-generic-), Tdap (Boostrix,Adacel), DTaP-IPV (Kinrix), DTaP-HepB-IPV (Pediarix), DTaP-IPV/Hib(Pentacel), and DTaP/Hib (TriHIBit) for Tetanus; BCG (TICE BCG, Mycobax)for Tuberculosis (TB); Typhoid Oral (Vivotif) and Typhoid Polysaccharide(Typhim Vi) for Typhoid; and YF (YF-Vax) for Yellow Fever.

Ebola Vaccine

Ad-CAGoptZGP is a vaccine that uses an Adenovirus 5 backbone and encodesthe surface proteins of the Ebola virus (see Richardson et al. (PLoS4:e5308, 2009)). Earlier versions of this vaccine have been previouslyshown to protect mice, guinea pigs and nonhuman primates from anotherwise lethal challenge of Zaire Ebola virus. Ad-CAGoptZGPincorporates three improvements: codon optimization of the gene insert,inclusion of a consensus Kozak sequence, and reconfiguration of a CAGpromoter. Transfection or transduction of cells with Ad-CAGoptZGPresults in high expression of the Ebola glycoprotein from those cells,and allows for a functional dose ˜100 times lower than with otheradenovirus-based Ebola vaccine constructs and with a faster time toimmunity. Finally, Ad-CAGoptZGP is capable of inducing full protectionto mice (partial protection to guinea pigs) when given 30 minutespost-challenge, whereas previous vaccines were not functionalpost-exposure. The strength of this vaccine is its lasting immunity.

In an embodiment, a pharmaceutical composition of the invention (e.g.,the Ad5-IFNα constructs described herein) can be administeredsimultaneously, separately, or sequentially with the Ad-CAGoptZGP Ebolavaccine. Preferably, one or both of the agents are formulated forintranasal or pulmonary administration. Our experimental data showssignificant synergy when, e.g., Ad5-IFNα and Ad-CAGoptZGP are combined(whether administered in a single composition or in separatecompositions; see, e.g., Example 14 herein). Specifically, completetreatment efficacy is seen 30 min post-exposure with ZEBOV with noreduction in body weight in both mouse and Guinea pig models. We expectto gain the benefits of both rapid onset (3 hours) of Ad5-IFNα and longlasting protection of Ad-CAGoptZGP in order to maximize the protectivebenefit of both components, as is seen in Table 1. The combination of animmune stimulator and Ebola vaccine contributes to a highly effective,focused therapy, and a broad spectrum antiviral makes this combination asuperior treatment option.

TABLE 1 Summary of capabilities of Ad5-IFNα, Ad-CAGoptZGP Ebola vaccine,and their combination as a prophylactic for Ebola viruses CombinationFast acting AND long lasting immunity Prophylactic Excellent efficacypre-and post- exposure Needle-free Cost effective manufacturingAd-CAGoptZGP Long lasting immunity Some efficacy post-exposureNeedle-free Simple cost-effective manufacturing Ad5-IFNα Rapid onset (3hours) Broad spectrum protection Needle-free Simple cost-effectivemanufacturing Efficacy pre-and post-exposure Known and acceptable safetyprofiles of all components

The combination of Ad5-IFNα and Ad-CAGoptZGP also provides for rapidonset of therapeutic and prophylactic effects and sustained protectionagainst reinfection. The combination of Ad5-IFNα and Ad-CAGoptZGP(either separately or in combination) promotes direct stimulation of theinnate immune system within 1-10 hours (e.g., within 3 hours), whichacts to counter, e.g., viral hemorrhagic fever viruses present withinthe recipient. Rapid onset to protection is one of the many benefits ofthe combination therapy. The combination of Ad5-IFNα and Ad-CAGoptZGP isalso quickly fully functional with a single dose, although multipledoses (e.g., 2, 3, 4, or 5 doses) of one or both of the agents can beadministered, as needed.

Expeditionary & Shelf Stable

To minimize logistical constraints, the combination of Ad5-IFNα andAd-CAGoptZGP can be formulated to be shelf stable and expeditionarilyrugged. Formulations described herein allow for deployment of theagent(s) at >35° C., if necessary, for greater than, e.g., 30-90 days(e.g., at least 60 days) and for short periods of between 30 minutes and5 hours (e.g., at least 1 hour) at temperatures as high as 90° C.

Filovirus Efficacy Data

Ad5-IFNα and Ad-CAGoptZGP each have been tested separately and incombination in well characterized animal models of Filovirus infection(Zaire Ebola; ZEBOV). Mouse studies showed that dosing with a range of10⁴ to 10⁶ plaque forming units (PFU) of Ad-CAGoptZGP was fullyprotective, and 10⁷ PFU of Ad5-IFNα treated or pre-treated mice,resulting in complete survival and negligible weight loss.

Similar results were obtained from a guinea pig model of fatal ZEBOVinfection in which intranasaldelivery of 2×10⁸ PFU mAd5-IFNα resulted in100% survival and slight weight loss for those treated compared to 100%fatal for those untreated animals. 10¹⁰ PFU Ad-CAGoptZGP resulted in 33%survival while the combination of Ad5-IFNα and Ad-CAGoptZGP resulted in100% survival with no weight loss. These results are particularlyimpressive given the susceptibility of Guinea pigs to ZEBOV. In thisstudy the efficacy of daily injections of recombinant IFNα protein wasalso assessed, and it was noted that some survival benefit was observed(FIG. 10B).

Formulation and Administration of the Pharmaceutical Compositions of theInvention

The compositions utilized in the methods described herein can beformulated for administration by a route selected from, e.g.,parenteral, dermal, transdermal, ocular, inhalation, buccal, sublingual,perilingual, nasal, rectal, topical administration, and oraladministration. Administration may be by, e.g., intranasal release.Parenteral administration includes intravenous, intraperitoneal,subcutaneous, and intramuscular administration. Parenteral, intranasalor intraocular administration may be provided by using, e.g., aqueoussuspensions, isotonic saline solutions, sterile and injectable solutionscontaining pharmacologically compatible dispersants and/or solubilizers,for example, propylene glycol or polyethylene glycol, lyophilized powderformulations, and gel formulations. The preferred method ofadministration can vary depending on various factors (e.g., thecomponents of the composition being administered and the severity of thecondition being treated). Formulations suitable for oral or nasaladministration may consist of liquid solutions, such as an effectiveamount of the composition dissolved in a diluent (e.g., water, saline,or PEG-400), capsules, sachets, tablets, or gels, each containing apredetermined amount of the IFN delivery vehicle composition of theinvention. The pharmaceutical composition may also be an aerosolformulation for inhalation, e.g., to the bronchial passageways. Aerosolformulations may be mixed with pressurized, pharmaceutically acceptablepropellants (e.g., dichlorodifluoromethane, propane, or nitrogen). Inparticular, administration by inhalation can be accomplished by using,e.g., an aerosol containing sorbitan trioleate or oleic acid, forexample, together with trichlorofluoromethane, dichlorofluoromethane,dichlorotetrafluoroethane, or any other biologically compatiblepropellant gas.

Immunogenicity of the composition of the invention may be significantlyimproved if it is co-administered with an immunostimulatory agent oradjuvant. Suitable adjuvants well-known to those skilled in the artinclude, e.g., aluminum phosphate, aluminum hydroxide, QS21, Quil A (andderivatives and components thereof), calcium phosphate, calciumhydroxide, zinc hydroxide, glycolipid analogs, octodecyl esters of anamino acid, muramyl dipeptides, polyphosphazene, lipoproteins, ISCOMmatrix, DC-Chol, DDA, cytokines, and other adjuvants and derivativesthereof.

In some instances, it may be desirable to combine the compositions ofthe invention with compositions that induce protective responses againstother viruses. For example, the compositions of the present inventioncan be administered simultaneously, separately, or sequentially withother immunization vaccines, such as those for, e.g., influenza,malaria, tuberculosis, or any other vaccines known in the art.

Pharmaceutical compositions according to the invention described hereinmay be formulated to release the composition immediately uponadministration (e.g., targeted delivery) or at any predetermined timeperiod after administration using controlled or extended releaseformulations. Administration of the pharmaceutical composition incontrolled or extended release formulations is useful where thecomposition, either alone or in combination, has (i) a narrowtherapeutic index (e.g., the difference between the plasma concentrationleading to harmful side effects or toxic reactions and the plasmaconcentration leading to a therapeutic effect is small; generally, thetherapeutic index, TI, is defined as the ratio of median lethal dose(LD₅₀) to median effective dose (ED₅₀)); (ii) a narrow absorption windowat the site of release (e.g., the gastro-intestinal tract); or (iii) ashort biological half-life, so that frequent dosing during a day isrequired in order to sustain a therapeutic level.

Many strategies can be pursued to obtain controlled or extended releasein which the rate of release outweighs the rate of metabolism of thepharmaceutical composition. For example, controlled release can beobtained by the appropriate selection of formulation parameters andingredients, including, e.g., appropriate controlled releasecompositions and coatings. Suitable formulations are known to those ofskill in the art. Examples include single or multiple unit tablet orcapsule compositions, oil solutions, suspensions, emulsions,microcapsules, microspheres, nanoparticles, patches, and liposomes.

The compositions of the invention may be administered to providepre-exposure prophylaxis or after a subject has been exposed to apathogen, such as a virus. The composition may be administered, e.g., 1,2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, or 60minutes, 2, 4, 6, 10, 15, or 24 hours, 2, 3, 5, or 7 days, 2, 4, 6 or 8weeks, or even 3, 4, or 6 months pre-exposure, or may be administered tothe subject 15-30 minutes or 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 20, 24,48, 72 hours, or longer post-exposure to the pathogen (e.g., a viralpathogen).

When treating autoimmune disease or cancer, the compositions of theinvention may be administered to the subject either before theoccurrence of symptoms or a definitive diagnosis or after diagnosis orsymptoms become evident. For example, the composition may beadministered, e.g., immediately after diagnosis or the clinicalrecognition of symptoms or 2, 4, 6, 10, 15, or 24 hours, 2, 3, 5, or 7days, 2, 4, 6 or 8 weeks, or even 3, 4, or 6 months after diagnosis ordetection of symptoms.

The compositions may be sterilized by conventional sterilizationtechniques, or may be sterile filtered. The resulting aqueous solutionsmay be packaged for use as is, or lyophilized, the lyophilizedpreparation may be administered in powder form or combined with asterile aqueous carrier prior to administration. The pH of thepreparations typically will be between 3 and 11, more preferably between5 and 9 or between 6 and 8, and most preferably between 7 and 8, such as7 to 7.5. The resulting compositions in solid form may be packaged inmultiple single dose units, each containing a fixed amount of the IFNdelivery vector (e.g., an Ad5 conIFN-α delivery vector) and, if desired,one or more immunomodulatory agents, such as in a sealed package oftablets or capsules, or in a suitable dry powder inhaler (DPI) capableof administering one or more doses.

Nasal or Pulmonary Delivery

There are several benefits of intranasal or pulmonary administrationover, e.g., oral, intravascular, or intramuscular administration. Inparticular, an intranasal or pulmonary administration route is lessharsh for an adenoviral vector system. There are fewer proteolyticenzymes present in, e.g., the nasal epithelium and the environment has amore neutral pH (i.e., it is less acidic). Also, the uptake of particlesof the viral delivery vector would be more consistent in the nasal orpulmonary mucosa than in the gut where there would be more variation inthe content of the intestinal lumen, and thus greater variability in theability of the vector to transduce/transfect cells in that environment.Moreover, the nasal mucosa is well irrigated, and is thus a permeablemucosal site.

Thus, in an embodiment, the IFN-α delivery vector of the invention, andpharmaceutical compositions containing it, are delivered via anintranasal or pulmonary route in, e.g., lyophilized powder form, in anaerosolized liquid form, or in a gel form. These routes ofadministration avoid recognition of, e.g., the Ad5 vector by the hostimmune system, thereby bypassing any pre-existing immunity the host mayhave. In addition, intranasal and pulmonary delivery allow for easyadministration in the event of the need for mass distribution.

Pulmonary and/or intranasal administration of the compositions of theinvention includes, e.g., providing a mist (aqueous or fine powder) tothe lungs (upper and/or lower respiratory tract) or nasal epithelium,respectively. This form of administration has a number of benefits overconventional needle-based injections. First, it does not involve the useof a needle, which means better patient compliance because it is“pain-free.” Second, pulmonary and intranasal administration allows forself-administration, which saves physicians' time, makes instrumentationunnecessary, and eliminates apprehension for the patient. Third, the useof sugar- or salt-based placebo powders or solutions facilitatestraining for administration without pain. Fourth, there is no risk ofmedical problems caused by, e.g., needle-borne contamination bybacteria/viruses or other problems from an unclean injection site.Fifth, the distribution of the aerosol or powder results in a thoroughand more even application of the vaccine. Sixth, the particle size ofthe vaccine can be controlled so that effective deposition at, e.g., theupper and/or lower respiratory tract, takes place based on thecharacteristics of the administration device. Furthermore, needle-basedadministrations typically require a trained medical professional toinsure that the injected medication is correctly delivered to the rightcompartment of the body (i.e., intravenous versus intramuscular). Thepreparation of aerosolized adenoviral vectors is described in, e.g.,U.S. Pat. No. 7,097,827, which is incorporated by reference herein.

Formulations suitable for use with a nebulizer, either jet orultrasonic, will typically comprise the vector (e.g., the Ad5-conIFN-αvector) in an aqueous medium at a concentration of, e.g., about 0.01 to25 mg of vector per mL of solution, preferably about 0.1 to 10 mg/mL.The formulation may also include a buffer and a simple sugar (e.g., forprotein stabilization and regulation of osmotic pressure), and/or humanserum albumin ranging in concentration from 0.1 to 10 mg/ml. Examples ofbuffers that may be used are sodium acetate, citrate and glycine.Preferably, the buffer will have a composition and molarity suitable toadjust the solution to a pH in the range of 3 to 9. Generally, buffermolarities of from 1 mM to 50 mM are suitable for this purpose. Examplesof excipients, usually in amounts ranging from 1% to 90% by weight(e.g., 1% to 50% by weight, more preferably 5% to 30% by weight) of theformulation include, e.g., monosaccharides such as fructose, maltose,galactose, glucose, D-mannose, sorbose, and the like; disaccharides,such as lactose, sucrose, trehalose, cellobiose, and the like;polysaccharides, such as raffinose, melezitose, maltodextrins, dextrans,starches, and the like; alditols, such as mannitol, xylitol, xylose,maltitol, lactitol, xylitol sorbitol (glucitol), sorbitose, pyranosylsorbitol, myoinositol and the like; and glycine, CaCl₂, hydroxyectoine,ectoine, gelatin, di-myo-inositol phosphate (DIP), cyclic 2,3diphosphoglycerate (cDPG), 1,1-di-glycerol phosphate (DGP),β-mannosylglycerate (firoin), β-mannosylglyceramide (firoin A), prolinebetaine and/or derivatives as well as combinations thereof.

The nebulizer formulation may also contain a surfactant to reduce orprevent surface induced aggregation of the composition components causedby atomization of the solution in forming the aerosol. Variousconventional surfactants can be employed, such as polyoxyethylene fattyacid esters and alcohols, and polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acidesters. Amounts will generally range between 0.001% and 4% by weight ofthe formulation. An especially preferred surfactant for purposes of thisinvention is polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate.

Specific formulations and methods of generating suitable dispersions ofliquid particles of the invention are described in, e.g., WO 94/20069,U.S. Pat. No. 5,915,378, U.S. Pat. No. 5,960,792, U.S. Pat. No.5,957,124, U.S. Pat. No. 5,934,272, U.S. Pat. No. 5,915,378, U.S. Pat.No. 5,855,564, U.S. Pat. No. 5,826,570, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,522,385,each of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

The compositions of the invention (e.g., an adenoviral vector thatincludes a nucleic acid molecule encoding an interferon (e.g.,Ad5-conIFN-α)) are preferentially administered intranasally. The Ad5virus is highly efficient in delivering genes to the epithelial cells ofthe nasal membranes. Mucosal dosing is efficient because it stimulatesboth the systemic and mucosal immunity at the portal of entry (see,e.g., Gutierro et al., Vaccine 20:2181-2190, 2002; and Patel et al., J.Infect. Dis. 196:S413-420, 2007). In addition, utilizing live Ad5 virusto deliver the IFN provides an additional route of immune stimulation,thereby acting as an adjuvant in ensuring maximum effect is achieved.Thus, delivering the compositions of the invention to a site where theinfectious agent (e.g., a virus) enters will likely result in a lowerrequired dose. Specific instrumentation has been developed toeffectively deliver aerosol droplets (diameter>2 um) to this compartment(see, e.g., the Mucosal Atomization Device (MAD300), Wolfe ToryMedical). Droplet (or powdered particle) size is important as aerosols<1um penetrate further down the respiratory tract and can cause adverseeffects.

The compositions of the invention can also be delivered in powder formusing, e.g., a metered dose inhaler device. This powder may be producedby lyophilization and may also contain a stabilizer such as human serumalbumin (HSA). Typically, more than 0.5% (w/w) HSA is added.Additionally, one or more of the following may be added as an excipientto the preparation, if necessary, to enhance one or more features (e.g.,to facilitate dispersal of the powder from a device, to increase theshelf-life of the vaccine composition, or to improve the stability ofthe vaccine composition during lyophilization): monosaccharides such asfructose, maltose, galactose, glucose, D-mannose, sorbose, and the like;disaccharides, such as lactose, sucrose, trehalose, cellobiose, and thelike; polysaccharides, such as raffinose, melezitose, maltodextrins,dextrans, starches, and the like; alditols, such as mannitol, xylitol,xylose, maltitol, lactitol, xylitol sorbitol (glucitol), sorbitose,pyranosyl sorbitol, myoinositol and the like; and glycine, CaCl₂,hydroxyectoine, ectoine, gelatin, di-myo-inositol phosphate (DIP),cyclic 2,3 diphosphoglycerate (cDPG), 1,1-di-glycerol phosphate (DGP),β-mannosylglycerate (firoin), β-mannosylglyceramide (firoin A), prolinebetaine and/or derivatives as well as combinations thereof. The amountadded to the formulation can range from about 0.01 to 200% (w/w),preferably from approximately 1 to 50% (w/w), and more preferably fromabout 5 to 30% (w/w) of the vector present. Such formulations are thenlyophilized and milled to the desired particle size. The particles ofthe powder shall have aerodynamic properties in the nasal cavities andlung corresponding to particles with a density of about 1 g/cm² having amedian diameter less than 50 um, preferably between 1.5 and 10 um, morepreferably of between 1.8 and 7.0 um, and most preferably from about 2.0to 4 um. The mean particle diameter can be measured using conventionalequipment, such as a Cascade Impactor (Andersen, Ga.).

The dry powder formulations of the present invention may conveniently beformulated by first suspending the vector (e.g., an adenoviral vectorthat includes a nucleic acid molecule encoding an interferon (e.g.,Ad5-conIFN-α) or other nucleic acid construct of the invention) in anaqueous solution. The relative amounts of vector and any added excipientmaterial will depend on the desired final ratio of vector to excipient.Conveniently, the ratio of vector to excipient will be in the range fromabout 2:1 to 1:100 (vector:excipient), preferably from 1:1 to 1:10, witha total solids concentration in the aqueous suspension being usuallyless than 5% by weight, more usually being less than 3% by weight.

The powder may be suspended in a propellant with the aid of asurfactant. The propellant may be any conventional material employed forthis purpose, such as a chlorofluorocarbon, a hydrochlorofluorocarbon, ahydrofluorocarbon, or a hydrocarbon, including trichlorofluoromethane,dichlorodifluoromethane, dichlorotetrafluoroethanol, and1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane, or combinations thereof. Suitable surfactantsinclude sorbitan trioleate and soya lecithin. Oleic acid may also beuseful as a surfactant. This mixture is then loaded into the deliverydevice.

In the case of compositions of the invention that include viral vectors,it is usually desirable that the aqueous solution be buffered in orderto enhance the activity of the viral vectors after drying. Buffers orpH-adjusting agents typically include a salt prepared from, e.g., anorganic acid or base. Representative buffers include organic acid saltsof citric acid, ascorbic acid, gluconic acid, carbonic acid, tartaricacid, succinic acid, acetic acid, or phthalic acid, Tris, tromethaminehydrochloride, or phosphate buffers.

Additional polymeric excipients/additives that can be included in theformulations of the compositions of the invention include, e.g.,polyvinylpyrrolidones, derivatized celluloses such ashydroxymethylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, andhydroxypropylmethylcellulose, Ficolls (a polymeric sugar),hydroxyethylstarch, dextrates (e.g., cyclodextrins, such as2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin and sulfobutylether-β-cyclodextrin),polyethylene glycols, and pectin.

The powder compositions of the invention for use in these devices may begenerated and/or delivered by methods disclosed in WO 96/32149, WO97/41833, and WO 98/29096, and in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,482,024; 7,481,212;7,371,373; 6,303,582; 6,001,336; 5,997,848; 5,993,783; 5,985,248;5,976,574; 5,922,354; 5,785,049; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,654,007, each ofwhich is incorporated by reference herein. The powder form can also beadministered using, e.g., a prefilled administration device, such as thedevices described in, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,437,267; 6,068,199;6,715,485; 5,994,314; 7,235,391; and 6,398,774, each of which isincorporated by reference herein. The powders will generally havemoisture contents below about 20% by weight, usually below about 10% byweight, and preferably below about 6% by weight. Such lowmoisture-containing solids tend to exhibit a greater stability uponpackaging and storage.

Mechanical devices designed for pulmonary and/or nasal delivery of thecompositions of the invention include but are not limited to nebulizers,metered dose inhalers, and powder inhalers, all of which are familiar tothose of skill in the art. Specific examples of commercially availabledevices suitable for the practice of this invention are the Ultraventnebulizer, manufactured by Mallinckrodt, Inc., St. Louis, Mo., USA; theMucosal Atomization Device (e.g., MAD300), Wolfe Tory Medical; the AcornII nebulizer, manufactured by Marquest Medical Products, Englewood,Colo., USA; the Ventolin metered dose inhaler, manufactured by GlaxoInc., Research Triangle Park, N.C., USA; the OptiNose device,manufactured by OptiNose, Oslo, Norway; the Spinhaler powder inhaler,manufactured by Fisons Corp., Bedford, Mass., USA the “standing cloud”device of Nektar Therapeutics, Inc., San Carlos, Calif., USA; the AIRinhaler manufactured by Alkermes, Cambridge, Mass., USA; and the AERxpulmonary drug delivery system manufactured by Aradigm Corporation,Hayward, Calif., USA. See also the delivery devices described in, e.g.,U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,522,378; 5,775,320; 5,934,272; and 5,960,792; theOptiNose devices in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,715,485; 7,347,201; and 7,481,218;and U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2004/0112378; 2005/0072430;2004/0112379; 2004/0149289; 2005/0028812; 2008/0163874; 2008/0161771;2008/0223363; 2005/0235992; 2006/0096589; 2006/0169278; 2007/0039614;and 2007/0186927); and the device in U.S. Pat. No. 7,669,597.

The compositions of the invention can also be formulated as intranasalcarriers in the form of nasal gels, creams, pastes or ointments thatprovide a more sustained contact with the nasal mucosal surfaces. Theseformulations can have a viscosity of, e.g., from about 10 to about250,000 centipoise (cps), or from about 2500 to 100,000 cps, or fromabout 5,000 to 50,000 cps or greater. Such carrier viscous formulationsmay be based upon, simply by way of example, alkylcelluloses and/orother biocompatible carriers of high viscosity well known to the art(see e.g., Remington, cited supra. A preferred alkylcellulose is, e.g.,methylcellulose in a concentration ranging from about 5 to about 1000 ormore mg per 100 ml of carrier. A more preferred concentration of methylcellulose is, simply by way of example, from about 25 to about mg per100 ml of carrier. The carrier containing the IFN delivery vehicle ofthe invention can also be, e.g., soaked into a fabric material, such asgauze, that can be applied to the nasal mucosal surfaces to allow forpenetration of the delivery vehicles therein.

Examples of gel formulations that can be used to prepare compositions ofthe invention are also described in, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,538,122;7,387,788; 7,166,575; 6,413,539; and 6,004,583; each of which isincorporated herein by reference. The gel formulations of the inventionmay also further include a permeation enhancer (penetration enhancer).Permeation enhancers include, but are not limited to, sulfoxides such asdimethylsulfoxide and decylmethylsulfoxide; surfactants such as sodiumlaurate, sodium lauryl sulfate, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide,benzalkonium chloride, poloxamer (231, 182, 184), tween (20, 40, 60, 80)and lecithin; the 1-substituted azacycloheptan-2-ones, particularly1-n-dodecylcyclazacycloheptan-2-one; fatty alcohols such as laurylalcohol, myristyl alcohol, oleyl alcohol and the like; fatty acids suchas lauric acid, oleic acid and valeric acid; fatty acid esters such asisopropyl myristate, isopropyl palmitate, methylpropionate, and ethyloleate; polyols and esters thereof such as propylene glycol, ethyleneglycol, glycerol, butanediol, polyethylene glycol, and polyethyleneglycol monolaurate, amides and other nitrogenous compounds such as urea,dimethylacetamide (DMA), dimethylformamide (DMF), 2-pyrrolidone,1-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, ethanolamine, diethanolamine andtriethanolamine, terpenes; alkanones, and organic acids, particularlysalicylic acid and salicylates, citric acid and succinic acid. Thepermeation enhancer may be present from about 0.1 to about 30% w/w.Preferred permeation enhancers are fatty alcohols and fatty acids. Thegel compositions may also include a buffering agent, for example,carbonate buffers, citrate buffers, phosphate buffers, acetate buffers,hydrochloric acid, lactic acid, tartaric acid, inorganic and organicbases. The buffering agent may be present in a concentration of about 1to about 10 weight percent, more preferred is a concentration of about 2to about 5 weight percent, depending on the type of buffering agent(s)used, as known by the one skilled in the art. Concentrations of thebuffering agent(s) may vary, however, and the buffering agent mayreplace up to 100% of the water amount within the composition.

Dosage

The pharmaceutical compositions of the invention can be administered ina therapeutically effective amount that provides an immunogenic and/orprotective effect against infection by a pathogen, such as a virus. Forexample, when the compositions include a viral vector (e.g., anAd5-based vector) that encodes an IFN (e.g., IFN-α, such as conIFN-α),at least about 1×10³ viral particles (vp)/dose or between 1×10¹ and1×10¹⁴ vp/dose, preferably between 1×10³ and 1×10¹² vp/dose, and morepreferably between 1×10⁵ and 1×1011 vp/dose (e.g., 1.5−3.0×10⁸ vp/ml, ofthe viral vector provides a therapeutically effective amount of the IFNfollowing expression in host cells. A single viral particle includes oneor more nucleic acid molecules (either DNA or RNA) encoding viral andnon-viral proteins (e.g., viral structural and non-structural proteinsand including a non-endogenous IFN) and surrounded by a protective coat(e.g., a lipid-based envelope or a protein-based capsid) that includesprotein subunits. Viral particle number can be measured based on, e.g.,lysis of vector particles, followed by measurement of the absorbance at260 nm (see, e.g., Steel, Curr. Opin. Biotech. 10:295-297, 1999).

When the composition is a non-viral vector that includes a nucleic acidmolecule that encodes an IFN (e.g., IFN-α, such as conIFN-α), thesubject should be administered at least about 1×10¹ molecules/dose,e.g., between 1×10¹ and 1×10¹⁵ molecules/dose, preferably between 1×10³and 1×10¹⁰ molecules/dose, and more preferably between 1×10⁴ and 1×10⁸molecules/dose, of the non-viral delivery vector. A single nucleic acidmolecule of a non-viral vector includes one or more nucleic acidmolecules (e.g., DNA or RNA) in the form of, e.g., a plasmid, cosmid,yeast or bacterial artificial chromosome, and bacteriaphage that isadministered in a naked form or that has been surrounded by or complexedwith a protective substance (e.g., lipids or a lipid based envelope,peptides, and polymers).

The dosage administered depends on the subject to be treated (e.g., theage, body weight, capacity of the immune system, and general health ofthe subject being treated), the form of administration (e.g., as a solidor liquid), the manner of administration (e.g., by injection,inhalation, dry powder propellant), and the cells targeted (e.g.,epithelial cells, such as blood vessels epithelial cells, nasalepithelial cells, or pulmonary epithelial cells). The composition ispreferably administered in an amount that provides a sufficient level ofexpression of IFN that elicits an immune response without undue adversephysiological effects in the host caused by the treatment.

In addition, single or multiple administrations of the compositions ofthe present invention may be given (pre- or post-exposure) to a subject(e.g., one administration or administration two or more times). Forexample, subjects who are particularly susceptible to, e.g., viralinfection may require multiple treatments to establish and/or maintainprotection against the virus. Levels of induced immunity provided by thepharmaceutical compositions described herein can be monitored by, e.g.,measuring amounts of neutralizing secretory and serum antibodies. Thedosages may then be adjusted or repeated as necessary to maintaindesired levels of protection against, e.g., a viral infection.

Alternatively, the efficacy of treatment can be determined by monitoringthe level of IFN-α expressed in a subject (e.g., a human) followingadministration of the compositions of the invention (e.g., Ad5-IFN-αvectors). For example, the blood or lymph of a subject can be tested forIFN-α levels using, e.g., standard assays known in the art (see, e.g.,Human Interferon-Alpha Multi-Species ELISA kit (Product No. 41105) andthe Human Interferon-Alpha Serum Sample kit (Product No. 41110) fromPestka Biomedical Laboratories (PBL), Piscataway, N.J.). The efficacy oftreatment can also be determined by monitoring the level of expressionor activation of IFN-α upregulated factors, such as the double-strandedRNA (dsRNA)-dependent protein kinase R (PKR), the 2′-5′-oligoadenylatesynthetase (2′-5′-OAS), IFN-inducible Mx proteins, atryptophan-degrading enzyme (see, e.g., Pfefferkorn, Proc. Natl. Acad.Sci. USA 81:908-912, 1984), adenosine deaminase (ADAR1), IFN-stimulatedgene 20 (ISG20), p 56, ISG15, mGBP2, GBP-1, the APOBEC proteins,viperin, or other factors (see, e.g., Zhang et al., J. Virol.,81:11246-11255, 2007, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,442,527, which is incorporatedby reference herein in its entirety).

A single intranasal dose of the compositions of the invention achieveprotection, pre-exposure, from infectious agents (e.g., viral agents).This is a dramatic improvement from the several doses per week or evenmultiple daily doses that are required with current IFN-α treatments. Inaddition, a single dose administered directly post-exposure (e.g.,within 24 hrs) to a viral or other infectious agent can function as atreatment according to the present invention. The effectiveness of asingle dose of the compositions of the invention eliminates the need totrack people to be treated and to retreat or revaccinate them, which isa difficult problem in a pandemic or bioterrorist attack where generalpanic typically ensues.

A single intranasal dose of the compositions of the invention can alsobe used to achieve therapy in subjects being treated for autoimmunedisease or cancer. Multiple doses (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5, or more doses) canalso be administered, in necessary, to these subjects.

Shelf Stability

Pharmaceutical formulations of the compositions of the invention (e.g.,a formulation that includes an Ad5-conIFN-α delivery vector) demonstratea significant shelf life, which provides an advantage over otheradenoviral, antiviral, or vaccine products. In particular, the Ad5-basedIFN-α delivery vector of the invention, which can be manufactured andlyophilized (freeze-dried), exhibits a shelf-life of at least about 1,2, 3, or 4 weeks, preferably at least about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 12, or 18months, more preferably at least 20 months, still more preferably atleast about 22 months, and most preferably at least about 24 months whenstored at room temperature. This is mission critical for the militaryand in developing countries where public health departments cannotguarantee refrigeration of medications. The shelf life of thecompositions of the invention can be extended by storage at 4° C.

The shelf life of the adenoviral vector-containing compositions of theinvention can be assessed by, e.g., determining adenoviral vector titers(see, e.g., Croyle et al., Gene Therapy 8:1281-1290, 2001) or byassessing the biological activity (e.g., the ability to transfect a celland express biologically active IFN) of the IFN-containing deliveryvehicle (e.g., viral or non-viral delivery vehicle). In an embodiment,the compositions of the invention exhibit a loss of less than 20% of theoriginal titer (or biological activity), more preferably less than 10%,and most preferably less than 5%, after storage at room temperature forat least 12 months. In other embodiments, the compositions of theinvention exhibit a loss of less than 40% of the original titer (orbiological activity), more preferably less than 30%, and most preferablyless than 20%, after storage at room temperature for at least 24 months.

Pharmaceutical formulations of the compositions of the invention alsoexhibit a shelf-life of at least about 1-15 days or 2-4 weeks or even atleast about 2-6 months when stored at temperatures in the range of about30° C. to about 55° C. (e.g., ˜45° C.). In an embodiment, thecomposition is stored is a dry, unreconstituted powder form. Preferably,a composition of the invention that is stored at a temperature in therange of about 30° C. to about 55° C. exhibits a loss of less than 40%(more preferably less than 30%, 20%, or 10%, and most preferably lessthan 5%) of the original titer (or biological activity) when stored fora period of time in the range of 1 week to 2 months.

In another embodiment, pharmaceutical formulations of the compositionsof the invention exhibit a shelf-life of at least about 1, 2, 3, or 4weeks, preferably at least about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 12, or 18 months,more preferably at least 20 months, still more preferably at least about22 months, and most preferably at least about 24 months when storedfrozen (e.g., at a temperature in the range of less than 4° C. (e.g., 0°C. to about −1900° C.)). In this embodiment, the composition can bestored as a non-stabilized, frozen liquid. Preferably, a composition ofthe invention that is stored at a temperature of less than 4° C. (e.g.,0° C. to about −20° C.) exhibits a loss of less than 40% (morepreferably less than 30%, 20%, or 10%, and most preferably less than 5%)of the original titer (or biological activity) when stored for a periodof time in the range of 2 months to 2 years.

Benefits of the long-term stability and shelf-life of the compositionsof the invention include: a) ease of storage of the compositions as nocold chain is required, which increases the ability to disseminate andstore the compositions in areas of the world that lack consistent accessto electricity (e.g., third world economies and disaster or war zones)and improves military operational tempo as less “stuff” must be carriedor used in areas without refrigeration; b) forward deployment ispossible when the drug can be thrown in a soldier's backpack or in theback of a WHO disaster vehicle; c) less drug waste as losses due tothawing are mitigated; and d) more cost effective use of StrategicNational Stockpile (SNS) storage space warehouse, which need not includerefrigeration for storage of the compositions.

Other benefits of the Ad5-based IFN-α delivery vector of the inventionare shown in FIG. 4.

Kits

The invention also provides kits including the IFN-α delivery vector ofthe invention, in lyophilized powder form, and a vial of hydrationmedium (e.g., sterile water or saline) that can be used to reconstitutethe powder. In another embodiment, the kit includes a container of theIFN-α delivery vector of the invention, in lyophilized powder form, anda separate delivery device that can be combined with the container toallow release of the contents of the container during administration.The kit may also include a container of the IFN-α delivery vector of theinvention, in lyophilized powder form, a vial of hydration medium (e.g.,sterile water or saline) that can be used to reconstitute the powder, ifdesired, and a delivery device that can be used to release the IFN-αdelivery vector as a powder or reconstituted liquid in an aerosolizedform (e.g., via pulmonary or intranasal administration). Kits of theinvention optionally include instructions for practicing any methoddescribed herein, including a therapeutic or prophylactic method,instructions for using any composition identified herein, and/orinstructions for operating any apparatus, system, device, or componentdescribed herein, as well as packaging materials.

EXAMPLES

The following examples are to illustrate the invention. They are notmeant to limit the invention in any way.

Example 1 Efficacy for Pre- and Post-Exposure Protection Against WesternEquine Encephalitis Virus and Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis Virus

The use of an Ad5-IFN-α delivery vector has been shown to provide bothpre- and post-exposure protection against Western Equine Encephalitisvirus (WEEV; Wu et al., Virology 369:206-213, 2007), an arthropod(mosquito) borne alphavirus classified as a Category B pathogen by theU.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC). In this study, mice wereinoculated with 10⁷ PFU of Ad5-mIFNα by intramuscular injection andchallenged with various WEEV strains at a range of timepoints. TheAd5-mIFNα showed complete protection when administered 24 hr, 48 hr, and1 week pre-exposure, and 38% protection when treated 13 weekspre-exposure. A single inoculation at 6 hr after the challenge delayedthe progress of WEEV infection and provided about 60% protection.

A study using Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis Virus (VEEV) yields similarresults. VEEV is a more infections virus, and intramuscularadministration of Ad5-IFN-α resulted in complete protection to 10LD50when administered 24 hr pre-exposure (other time points were nottested), and 75% survival to 100LD50. In this case, Ad5-IFN did notprotect when administered post-exposure (O'Brien et al., J. Gen. Virol.90:874-882, 2009).

Example 2 Uses for the Compositions of the Invention

Pre-exposure (post-event) prophylaxis: The compositions of the inventioncan be used as a single administration broad-spectrum antiviralprophylactic medical countermeasure against, e.g., viral-based bioweaponthreats or risk from exposure to endemic viral threats.

Military or Law Enforcement Operations

The compositions of the invention can be used as a prophylaxis formilitary, law enforcement agents, or local emergency coordinator (LEC)personnel who, during operations, are exposed to viral-based biologicalweapons threats. The decision to administer a composition of theinvention (e.g., an Ad5 delivery vector that contains a nucleic acidmolecule encoding conIFN-α, and that is formulated as a lyophilizedpowder for delivery to the nasal mucosa) to warfighters will be basedon, e.g., a) the presence of identifiable biowarfare agents as measuredby biosensors (as aerosols or surface contamination on equipment), b)intelligence that such viral-based weapons have been deployed or may bedeployed by adversaries, or c) diseased sentinel animals, or d) contactby the warfighter with victims expected to present symptoms of viraldisease.

Exposure During Research

A similar scenario is presented by researchers or manufacturers who, bythe very nature of their jobs, come in regular contact with pathogenicviruses or other biological threats and for which an additionalprecaution against equipment or protocol failure. The compositions ofthe invention can be used as a prophylaxis (pre- or post-exposure) forthese individuals, as well.

Example 3 Medical Chain

The compositions of the invention can be administered prophylacticallyto medical chain personnel, e.g., physicians, nurses, cleaning staff,and others who come into contact with patients suffering from viral orbacterial infectious diseases or who may have infectious diseases. Thebroad-spectrum nature of the compositions of the invention allows foradministration to the subject before knowledge of the biologicalpathogen is available and in cases where there is no time to positivelyidentify the viral pathogen. The compositions of the invention are alsobeneficial in cases where a virus mutates during a pandemic leaving theestablished vaccine ineffective or less protective.

Example 4 Public Health

Ring and Immediate Post Exposure Treatment

If a patient is known to have come in contact with a viral threat in thepreceding 24 hrs, a composition of the invention (e.g., an Ad5 deliveryvector that contains a nucleic acid molecule encoding IFN-α (e.g.,conIFN-α), and that is formulated for nasal or pulmonary delivery, e.g.,as an aerosolized powder or liquid mist) can be administered as apost-exposure treatment. If necessary, a composition of the inventioncan be administered, e.g., as a “ring” treatment to all susceptibleindividuals in a prescribed area around an outbreak of an infectiousdisease. Ring treatment controls an outbreak by treating and monitoringa ring of people around each infected individual.

Suspected Exposure Treatment

Even if exposure to a biological threat is not confirmed, a compositionof the invention can be administered to those people thought to beexposed (the “worried well”), as the side effects of IFN are minimal.For example, a cranberry grower in Massachusetts is bitten by a mosquitoand gets sick. For example, because there is an endemic risk of Easternequine encephalitis (EEE), the person can be administered a compositionof the invention, for example, by nasal or pulmonary delivery (e.g., asan aerosolized powder or liquid mist) and monitored for signs ofimprovement prior to agricultural work near cranberry bogs.

Post-Exposure Prophylaxis

On a population level, if dissemination of a viral threat is known orbelieved to have occurred, a composition of the invention can beadministered, for example, by nasal or pulmonary delivery (e.g., as anaerosolized powder or liquid mist), stop the spread of the viral threat.In this case, the invervention is administered without knowing theinfection status of the recipient, and thus the function of prophylaxisand treatment would likely be applied.

Example 5 Veterinary Indications of Ad5-Vectored IFN

The broad spectrum anti-viral capabilities of interferon polypeptidehave been well recognized in veterinary medicine. Indeed, the oraladministration of IFN is an effective treatment for shipping fever inthoroughbred race horses (Akai et al, J. Equine Sci. 19:91, 2008) andcattle experiencing bovine respiratory disease (BRDC; Cummins et al, J.Inf. & Cyto. Res. 19:907, 1999), and in the general treatment ofrespiratory illness in horses (Moore et al, Can. Vet. J. 45:594, 2004).Intranasal or pulmonary delivery of an Ad5-IFN could overcome thecurrent limitations of repeated dosing and high cost. An intranasaldelivery system for horses that could be used to administer compositionsof the present invention is described in, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,398,774,which is incorporated herein by reference. The use of an Ad5-IFNproduction system has been shown to be safe and effective in lab animals(see, e.g., Wu et al, Virology 369:206, 2007).

Other veterinary indications include the treatment or prevention ofpandemics by pathogens, such as Rift Valley Fever, the treatment orprevention of endemic pathogens, and the treatment or prevention ofpathogens that are released intentionally. The treatment or preventionin this context prevents or mitigates the potential catastrophic loss ofanimals within the food chain.

Example 6 Ad5-VEE/WEE/EEE Equine Vaccine

To date, vaccination is the only means of combating highly infectious,mosquito borne encephalitis alphaviruses. All horses in North Americaare at risk and vaccination is recommended. Currently marketed trivalentvaccines manufactured via traditional technology require multiple yearlyinjections and boosters to provide protection. A “live vaccine” approachusing adenoviruses provides a safe means of producing a rapid andpersistent protection using just a single intranasal administration.

Example 7 CoAdministration of Ad5-IFN with One or More SecondaryAnti-Viral Drugs

The Ad5-IFN delivery vehicle (e.g., encoding conIFN-α or another IFNdescribed herein) can be formulated with a pharmaceutically acceptableexcipient for intranasal dosing in combination with an antihistamine anda neuraminidase inhibitor. This composition can be administered to asubject either prior to viral exposure or within 48 hours of exposure.The antihistamine helps to reduce any nasal congestion, e.g., stuffed orblocked nasal passages, caused by viral infection or rhinitis, therebymaximizing the distribution of the Ad5-IFN and neuraminidase inhibitorand their absorption by the epithelium of the upper and/or lowerrespiratory tract. An example of such an antihistamine would be H1antagonists, such as fexofenadine or loratadine. A neuraminidaseinhibitor, such as Zanamivir (Relenza®, GlaxoSmithKline), is a potentselective inhibitor of the viral neuraminidase glycoprotein that isimportant for viral replication of, e.g., influenza A and B and otherviruses. The net effect of this three drug combination is improved viralprophylaxis where the IFN initiates a broad spectrum immune response,the neuraminidase inhibitor blocks viral release from infected cells,and the antihistamine ensures or improves delivery of the drugs to thenasal epithelium.

Alternatively, the Ad5-IFN delivery vector can be administeredintransally as a separate composition and the antihistamine andneuraminidase inhibitor (e.g., Oseltamivir phosphate (Tamiflu®, RochePharma)) can be administered orally in separate compositions or in asingle composition (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,605,302, which isincorporated herein by reference).

Example 8 Prophylaxis or Treatment of Punta Toro Virus (Family:Bunyaviridiae)

Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is an arthropod-borne viral fever thatcauses direct infection in humans and livestock. The mode oftransmission is via the bite of an infective Aedes or Culex mosquito.Mechanical infection via aerosols or infected blood has been reported inhumans that work with, handle, or process livestock or contaminatedcarcasses. Humans of both sexes and all ages are susceptible and wheninfected with RVFV may develop retinitis, encephalitis, or hepatitisassociated with haemorrhages that may be fatal (Heyman, Amercian PublicHealth Association, Washington D.C., 2008). Recent outbreaks in Kenyaresulted in 118 deaths and a case fatality rate of 29% (CDC, Morb.Motal. Wkly. Rep. 56:73-76, 2007). There are no approved vaccines oreffective therapies for RVFV. Reflecting the concern of public healthofficials, RVFV has been classified as a Category A pathogen by theNational Institute for Allergic and Infectious Diseases and has received‘Dual Agent’ status by the Department of Health and Human Services andthe US Department of Agriculture.

Effective countermeasures that are highly stable, easily administered,and elicit long lasting protective immunity are much needed. Becausedirect work with RVFV is highly restricted and requires enhanced BSL-3+facilities, we have recently established an intranasal (IN) respiratoryroute Punta Toro virus (PTV) infection model in Syrian Hamsters. PTV isa BSL-2 surrogate for RVFV, and produces disease in hamsters that modelsRVFV infection and disease progression in humans (Gowen et al.,Antiviral Res. 77:215-224, 2008).

The purpose of this experiment was to evaluate Ad5-IFNα as aprophylactic agent to counter exposure to PTV. The route of Ad5-IFNαexposure was by intranasal (IN) to simulate respiratory mucosal surfacedelivery—a proposed route of administration in humans. Doses of 10⁸,10⁷, and 10⁶ PFU of Ad5-IFNα (n=15) were administered 24 hrs prior toinfectious challenge with PTV. The doses selected were based uponprevious studies demonstrating high-level protection and were scaled tothe hamster model based on typical dosing extrapolation equations usingbody surface area. As is shown in FIG. 6, administration of Ad5-IFNα atthe indicated doses at least 24 hours prior to challenge with PTVresulted in 100% survival as compared to the ribavarin treated,empty-vector treated, and placebo controls.

In addition, we have demonstrated significant protection against bothrespiratory and subcutaneous PTV challenge infections in mice treatedwith Ad5-IFNα: a) prior to challenge as a prophylactic (up to 21 daysbefore challenge) and b) as a treatment given up to +48 hrpost-exposure.

Example 9 Prophylaxis or Treatment of Western Equine Encephalitis(Family: Togaviridae)

Western Equine Encephalitis belongs to the Alphavirus genus of theTogavirus family which represents a group of mosquito borne, severelyneuropathogenic, emerging pathogens in domestic animals and humans. WEEVis endemic to the Western portion of North America and is maintained innature through a cycle involving wild birds as reservoir hosts and Culextarsalis mosquitoes as vectors (Wu et al., Virology 369: 206-213, 2007)and have an overall case fatality rate of 3%-8% depending on age.

As a weapon, WEEV can be easily transmitted through the aerosol routewith fatality rates as high as 40% in laboratory accidents (Hanson etal., Science 158: 1283-1286, 1967). A closely allied virus—VenezuelanEquine Encephalitis virus—was weaponized by the U.S. and the formerSoviet Union for aerosol dissemination as an incapacitating agent on thebattlefield. It was anticipated that a biological weapons attack in aregion populated by Equines and mosquito vectors could initiate anepidemic (Eitzen et al., Medical Management of Biological Casualties3^(rd) Edition, published for the Department of Defense by The US. ArmyMedical Research Institute of Infectious Disease, Fort Detrick,Frederick Md., 1998). The ongoing concern of these viruses as anexisting biological weapon and the lack of a safe and efficaciousvaccine or antiviral has prompted public health concern, and theseviruses are listed as a Category B Bioterrorist threat with the CDC(CDC, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Public HealthAssessment of Potential Biological Terrorsm Agents Vol. 8, 2010).

One hundred forty (140) female Balb/c mice (10 per group) were used inthis study and divided into two studies; each used a total of 70 mice.The first study tested the efficacy against WEEV California strain andthe second study against WEEV CBA87 strain. The following treatmentgroups were used in both studies:

-   -   Groups 1-5: Single IN treatment with 10⁷ PFU Ad5-IFNα at Day        (−21, −14, −7, −1 or +4 hrs respectively)    -   Group 6—IFNα B/D (recombinant mouse) 2×10⁷ IU/kg once daily at        Days 0 to 8, starting 4 hrs prior to challenge    -   Group 7—Control: untreated and challenged

All mice were challenged intranasally on Day 0 with lethal dose of2.5×10³ pfu of WEEV California strain in study 1 and 500 pfu of WEEVCBA87 strain in study 2 and followed for 14 days for clinical signs ofdisease and euthanized at moribundity/morbidity. Administration ofAd5-IFNα (murine) resulted in complete protection of all animals in theprophylactic window, and 100% (California) & 70% (CBA87) survival in the+4 hrs treatment groups (FIGS. 7A and 7B).

Example 10 Prophylaxis or Treatment of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome(Family: Coronaviridae)

SARS has recently emerged in the human population as a fatal respiratorydisease. Severely affected patients develop acute respiratory distresssyndrome, which corresponds with diffuse alveolar damage at autopsy. Anewly discovered Coronavirus, SCV, has been identified as the primarycause of SARS. SARS patients have been treated empirically with acombination of Ribavirin, Oseltamivir, antibiotics and corticosteroids,with mixed results. Treatment with recombinant human interferon(Alfacon®) has shown clinical promise.

Groups of 10 mice were administered 50 μl of Ad5-IFNα (murine, 10⁶ PFU)IN once at 14, 7, 5, or 3 days pre-virus exposure (PVE). In addition,groups of 10 mice were administered 50 μl of Ad5-IFNα (murine) (10⁶ PFUor 10⁵ PFU) IN one time at 6, 12, 24 hours post virus exposure. In bothexperiments Poly-ICLC was given at 1 mg/kg by the IN route at 24 hbefore virus exposure and 8 h after exposure to virus and served as apositive control for controlling the virus infection, and 15 mice weretreated with buffered saline at each timepoint representing placebocontrols. Animal deaths were recorded for up to 21 days post virusexposure.

As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, treatment with Ad5-IFNα (murine) resultedin complete protection of all animals in the treatment groups.

Example 11 Prophylaxis or Treatment of Yellow Fever Virus (Family:Flaviviridae)

Yellow Fever (YF) is an acute infectious viral disease with a casefatality rate of 20-50% characterized by jaundice and hemorrhagicsymptoms. YF is transmitted by mosquitoes, typically Aede spps in urbanareas and Haemogogus spp or Sabethes spp in forests with humans orprimates serving as reservoirs. YF has an endemic zone between 15° N and10° S latitude which encompasses 33 African and nine South African andCaribbean Island with a combined population of >500 million people(Heymann, Control of Communicable Disease Manual, Ammercian PublicHealth Association, Washington, D.C., 2008). While an effective vaccineis available, immunization coverage is variable, ranging from 30-95% inAfrica. No approved treatment exists.

Hamsters were injected (15-20/group) intraperitoneally (IP) with 0.1 mlof the diluted virus (10 CClD₅₀/animal). Ad5-IFNα was administered by INinstillation at doses of 1×10⁸, 5×10⁷, 5×10⁶, or 5×10⁵ 1.25×10⁶PFU/animal one time at −4 h. Mortality was observed daily for 21 days,and weight was recorded on 0, 3, and 6 dpi. Liver tissue was taken atnecropsy from 5 animals from each group for virus titration on 4 dpi. Ina second study, animals were administered 5×10⁷ PFU IN Ad5-IFNα at −4hr, or +1, +2 or +3 days post infection (dpi) using the same controls asin the previous experiment.

Complete protection of hamsters was observed at the top two doses of1×10⁸ pfu and 5×10⁷ pfu of Ad5-IFNα (FIG. 9A). A dose response was seenwith increasing mortality occurring at lower doses, although survivalwas significantly improved in these groups over controls as well as adelay in the mortality curve. Overall, all of the Ad5-IFNα doses offeredsignificant protection as compared with the empty adenovirus vectorcontrol with efficacy similar to or greater than that of the positivecontrol. Using a dose of 5×10⁷ PFU of Ad5-IFNα complete survival wasseen with treatment at +1 d and 90% survival at +2 dpi (FIG. 9B).

Example 12 Treatment of Ebola Virus (Family: Filoviridae)

Ebola hemorrhagic fever was first recognized in 1976 in two simultaneousoutbreaks in Sudan and Zaire which affected >600 people with casefatality rates of 55% and 90% respectively. Person-to-person contactdoes occur through direct contact with blood, secretions, organs, orsemen from infected humans. Nosocomial infections are frequent, andvirtually all persons infected from contaminated needles died. Despiteextensive study, the natural animal reservoir for Ebola remains unknown.There are no approved vaccines or effective treatments for Filovirusinfections (Heymann, Control of Communicable Disease Manual, AmmercianPublic Health Association, Washington, D.C., 2008).

Ebola virus is considered a Category A bioterrorism agent by theCDC(CDC, 2010, supra) and top priority public health biological threat(PHEMCE, Public Health Emergency Medical Countermeasures Enterprise,Health & Human Services, Washington D.C., 2007). Such agents pose a riskto national security because they can be easily disseminated ortransmitted from person to person; result in high mortality rates andhave the potential for major public health impact and require specialaction for public health preparedness.

Here, Ad5-IFNα was tested in mouse and Guinea pig models of the Ebolavirus, Zaire strain (ZEBOV). Groups of 10 mice were challenged byintraperitoneal (IP) injection with 1000×LD₅₀ of the mouse-adapted Ebolavirus. Thirty minutes later they were dosed by either the IM (50 μl pereach hind limb) or IN (50 μl) route with a single dose of 1×10⁷ IFU(infectious units) mAd5-IFNα per mouse. Control mice were injected IMwith phosphate buffered saline (PBS) (50 μl per each hind limb).Complete survival benefit was seen with administration of mousemAd5-IFNα by either route, and there was no significant weight loss intreated groups versus control (FIG. 10A).

Following the success of the mouse study, Ad5-IFNα was tested in aGuinea Pig (GP) model of Ebola virus, Zaire strain (ZEBOV). The GP modelmore closely mimics the pathophysiology of the disease in humans, andthe animals are more susceptible to challenge, thus making it a moredifficult model to achieve positive results. Eight Hartley guinea pigswere challenged by IP injection with 100×LD₅₀ of guinea pig-adaptedZEBOV. 30 minutes later two animals were dosed IN with 2×10⁸ PFUAd5-IFNα per guinea pig. In addition, recombinant IFN protein wasadministered to three GPs daily for six days to assess the therapeuticpotential of the protein alone, while three animals were untreated andserved as a negative control group. All of the animals treated withAd5-IFNα survived, compared to 66% in the interferon protein group,whereas all the control animals perished (FIG. 10B).

Example 13 Prophylaxis for Pichinde Virus (Family: Arenaviridae)

Arenaviruses produce an acute viral illness which progresses in 20% ofpatients to severe multisystem disease with hospitalized case fatalityrate up to 15%. The disease is severe in pregnancy with fetal loss ratesapproaching 80% and associated frequent maternal death. Arenaviruses areserologically divided into Old World (e.g. Lassa fever) and New World(e.g. Machupo or Junin). Lassa fever has had the greatest impact onpublic health by hemorrhagic fever, with more than 100,000 endemicinfections in West Africa and 5,000 deaths annually (Fischer-Hoch etal., J. Virol. 74:6777-6783, 2000). The mode of transmission is throughaerosol or direct contact with contaminated rodent excreta or viaperson-to-person by pharyngeal secretions, semen or urine.

Arenaviruses are considered a Category A bioterrorism agent by theCDC(CDC, 2010, supra) and a priority public health biological weaponsthreat (PHEMCE, 2007, supra). Such agents pose a risk to nationalsecurity because they can be easily disseminated or transmitted fromperson to person; result in high mortality rates and have the potentialfor major public health impact and require special action for publichealth preparedness. Pichinde virus (PCV) is a New World Arenavirus thatis highly pathogenic in hamsters but is non-pathogenic in humans(Buchmeier et al., Infect. Immun. 9:821-823, 1974). PCV infection inhamsters is a well characterized animal model that produces afulminating disease that ends in terminal shock via vascular leakagesyndrome with high systemic viral titers. The distribution of viralantigens within the infected host (Connolly et al., A. J. Trop. Med.Hyg. 4; 10-24, 1993) mimics the disease manifestations reported in humanArenavirus cases (Walker et al., Am. J. Path. 107:349-356, 1982) but canbe utilized safely under BSL-2 conditions (Gowen and Holbrook, AntiviralRes. 78:79-90, 2007).

Ad5-IFNα was tested in a hamster model of Pichinde virus infection. Oneday prior to challenge, groups of 10 animals were dosed via the IN route(200 μl) with a single dose of either: 10⁸, 10⁷, or 10⁶ PFU Ad5-IFNα perhamster. Animals were challenged by intraperitoneal (IP) injection withLD₉₅ of the hamster-adapted PCV. Control mice were dosed IN withphosphate buffered saline (PBS) (100 μl per nostril). Complete survivalbenefit was seen with administration of Ad5-IFNα at the highest dose,with a dose dependent decline in survival seen at lower levels (FIG.11).

Example 14 Treatment with a Combination “Instant Acting Vaccine” forEbola (Family: Filovirus)

Ad5-IFNα Administered in Conjuction with a Vaccine

Vaccines have been a cornerstone for effective infectious diseaseprevention since Jenner in 1796. Vaccines are cost-effective, easilyadministered, generally safe and longlasting. However, when facingbioweapons threats, broad nation-wide vaccine campaigns have met withconsiderable opposition. The bias against vaccination arises from thepublic's balancing of the risk from a low-probability bioweapons threatsvs the certainty of adverse vaccine effects in a few patients. Indeed,even the smallpox vaccination campaign which boasted the first and onlyinfectious disease ever irradicated, was discontinued some 30 years agodespite Presidential support for police and healthcare workervaccination. A second public health issue is the time delay. Vaccineswork slowly—often requiring 7 to 21 days—for a vaccination and boostersto achieve protection. This time delay has lethal consequences for mostpathogenic viral bioweapon infections. As such, current public healthvaccination strategies and stockpiles are directed toward diseasemitigation and prevention of secondary infection and disease spread.Infected individuals at ground zero receive only supportive care. Wepropose the use of Ad5-IFNα AND a vaccine to radically change thisdisease management paradigm to include treatment AND prophylaxis.Further, existing vaccine stockpiles can now be repurposed and utilizedas part of an “instant acting vaccine”.

It is clear that Ad5-IFNα can act as a both a prophylactic and atreatment. In this example, we combine Ad5-IFNα-acting as a type ofadjuvant—with a standard vaccine to form an “Instant Acting Vaccine”.The benefits of this approach are significant. Ad5-IFNα functions as animmune system stimulant, with the following benefits; a) administrationof Ad5-IFNα with a vaccine can protect the host against the viral insultuntil the vaccine is functional and b) Ad5-IFNα can stimulate the immunesystem to respond to the vaccine faster or more vigorously and thusestablish protective antibody levels faster.

In the case of Ebola, we administered an Ad5-IFNα in conjuction with anAd5 vectored Ebola glycoprotein vaccine (Ad-CAGoptZGP; vaccine describedRichardson et al, 2009, supra; Croyle et al, PLoS 3:1-9, 2008) todemonstrate the method and benefit of the instant acting vaccine. SixGuinea pigs were administered the vaccine (10⁹ or 10¹⁰ infectious units)with Ad5-IFNα (2×10⁸ PFU) via IN administration 30 minutes after a1000LD50 challenge with ZEBOV. These combined treatments resulted in100% survival of the animals (FIG. 12). Ad5-IFNα alone was able to save50% of the challenged animals and the vaccine alone was only able tosave 30% in a model with 1/10^(th) the challenge. Thus, the twocomponents work synergistically to save animals that each componentcould not save separately from challenge with Ebola.

Given this data, Ad5-IFNα has tremendous potential to serve as a vaccineadjuvant for a wide range of vaccines, thereby speeding the time toprotection in either a prophylactic or treatment model.

Example 15 Vaccine Stability

We have developed a rugged, shelf stable formulation of the combinationtherapy, Ad5-IFNα+Ad-CAGoptZGP. Our preliminary data illustrates Ad5vector stability with no appreciable loss in activity at 37° C. for 84days, and at 100° C. for at least an hour (ASM 2010).

Example 16 Safety Data

There is a wealth of clinical data showing that the Ad5 vector systemand recombinant human IFN, separately, are safe (including whenadministered using multiple repeat dosing). In addition, Ad-CAGoptZGPalone has been used successfully to treat a suspected Ebola infection ofa lab worker in Germany. The patient experienced a fever and headachecommonly associated with antiviral vaccines, but made a full recovery.

The doses of Ad5-IFNα+Ad-CAGoptZGP as evaluated in the mouse and guineapig ZEBOV models discussed above demonstrate safety at even the highestexpected doses. Our experience to date indicates superior efficacy evenat lower doses of Ad5-IFNα (as low 1/1000th) used in animal models ofother diseases (e.g. Punta Toro, WEE, and SARS). This result, coupledwith the synergistic relationship of the 2 components(Ad5-IFNα+Ad-CAGoptZGP) indicates that a lower dose should besubstantially effective against infection by a pathogen, such as, e.g.,an Ebola infection.

To date, more than 60 clinical trials have been conducted with Ad5 asthe gene delivery vector, thus providing a solid toxicology frameworkfor Ad5-IFNα-containing compositions of the invention (including, e.g.,the combination of Ad5-IFNα and Ad-CAGoptZGP). For example, in humans adosage in the range of 1.0×10⁶ to 1.0×10¹² (e.g., 1.6×10⁹ PFU) for a 70kg person for the combination of Ad5-IFNα and Ad-CAGoptZGP is expectedto provide therapeutic and prophylactic benefit against challenge orexposure to a pathogen (e.g., a viral agent). In our animal modelstudies, we have tested the combination of Ad5-IFNα and Ad-CAGoptZGP ata viral particle (vp) to PFU ratio of 10:1 with success. For example,with regard to a viral particle (vp) to PFU ratio of 50:1, which isexpected to be at the higher end of the administration spectrum, thedose will be 8×10¹⁰ vp.

Safety of Replication Defective Ad5 Vectors

The safety of replication defective Ad5 vectors has been confirmedduring a dose escalation study involving 12 patients where the Ad5 wasdelivered intranasally (2×10⁷-2×10¹⁰ PFU/patient; see Knowles et al.,N.E. J. Med. 333:823-831, 1995). At the highest dose, adverse effectswere deemed moderate (ear ache and mucosal sensitivity) and wereresolved within three weeks. More recently, a pilot Phase I safety studynoted dose limiting toxicology at 2×10¹² vp, with repeated doses of theAd5 vector being well tolerated (see Keedy et al., J. Clin. Oncol.26:4166-4171, 2008). The NIH Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee (NIHReport, Hum. Gene Ther. 13:3-13, 2002) reports the upper safe limitbefore toxicology of replication defective Ad5 vectors as 7×10¹³ vp.Using these studies as precedents, we expect the effective dose of acombination therapy, such as Ad5-IFNα and Ad-CAGoptZGP, would be atleast 1-2 orders of magnitude lower than the low safe dose threshold forAd5 administration.

Safety of Interferons

Interferons are safely used clinically to treat Hepatitis C and SARS,where the high dose side effects can be flu like symptoms such asincreased body temperature, headache, muscle pain, convulsion, anddizziness. In some cases hair thinning and depression has also beenobserved. In cases of high risk melanoma the maximum tolerated dose wasused (4.5×10⁵ U/kg) daily for one month (see Jonasch et al., Cancer J.6:1390145, 2000), followed by a half dose three times a week for 48weeks. The resultant level of IFN in the bloodstream for 12 hours postinjection can be extrapolated as approximately 230 U/mL (see Cantell etal., J. Gen. Virol. 22:453-455, 1974). The level of serum IFN measuredin our mouse model was 250 U/mL (see Wu et al., Virology 369:206-213,2007). Again, this comparison illustrates that our maximum expected doseproduces a serum IFN level that is consistent with those found inpatients undergoing antiviral therapy.

Other Embodiments

While the invention has been described in connection with specificembodiments thereof, it will be understood that it is capable of furthermodifications and this application is intended to cover any variations,uses, or adaptations of the invention following, in general, theprinciples of the invention and including such departures from thepresent disclosure that come within known or customary practice withinthe art to which the invention pertains and may be applied to theessential features hereinbefore set forth.

All publications and patent applications mentioned in this specificationare herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if eachindependent publication or patent application was specifically andindividually indicated as being incorporated by reference in theirentirety. Also incorporated by reference is PCT/CA2010/000844, entitled“ADMINISTRATION OF INTERFERON FOR PROPHYLAXIS AGAINST OR TREATMENT OFPATHOGENIC INFECTION,” which was filed on Jun. 9, 2010, naming JeffreyD. Turner and Jane E. Ennis as inventors.

APPENDIX Interferon Alpha 1b-IFNA1Nucleotide: NCBI Reference Sequence: NM_024013.1 Homo sapiens(SEQ ID NO: 1) 1agaacctaga gcccaaggtt cagagtcacc catctcagca agcccagaag tatctgcaat 61atctacgatg gcctcgccct ttgctttact gatggtcctg gtggtgctca gctgcaagtc 121aagctgctct ctgggctgtg atctccctga gacccacagc ctggataaca ggaggacctt 181gatgctcctg gcacaaatga gcagaatctc tccttcctcc tgtctgatgg acagacatga 241ctttggattt ccccaggagg agtttgatgg caaccagttc cagaaggctc cagccatctc 301tgtcctccat gagctgatcc agcagatctt caacctcttt accacaaaag attcatctgc 361tgcttgggat gaggacctcc tagacaaatt ctgcaccgaa ctctaccagc agctgaatga 421cttggaagcc tgtgtgatgc aggaggagag ggtgggagaa actcccctga tgaatgcgga 481ctccatcttg gctgtgaaga aatacttccg aagaatcact ctctatctga cagagaagaa 541atacagccct tgtgcctggg aggttgtcag agcagaaatc atgagatccc tctctttatc 601aacaaacttg caagaaagat taaggaggaa ggaataacat ctggtccaac atgaaaacaa 661ttcttattga ctcatacacc aggtcacgct ttcatgaatt ctgtcatttc aaagactctc 721acccctgcta taactatgac catgctgata aactgattta tctatttaaa tatttattta 781actattcata agatttaaat tatttttgtt catataacgt catgtgcacc tttacactgt 841ggttagtgta ataaaacatg ttccttatat ttactcAmino Acid: NCBI Reference Sequence: NP_076918.1 Homo sapiens(SEQ ID NO: 2) 1maspfallmv lvvlsckssc slgcdlpeth sldnrrtlml laqmsrisps sclmdrhdfg 61fpqeefdgnq fqkapaisvl heliqqifnl fttkdssaaw dedlldkfct elyqqlndle 121acvmqeervg etplmnadsi lavkkyfrri tlyltekkys pcawevvrae imrslslstn 181lqerlrrke Interferon Alpha 2b-IFNA2Nucleotide: NCBI Reference Sequence: NM_000605.3 Homo sapiens(SEQ ID NO: 3) 1gagaacctgg agcctaaggt ttaggctcac ccatttcaac cagtctagca gcatctgcaa 61catctacaat ggccttgacc tttgctttac tggtggccct cctggtgctc agctgcaagt 121caagctgctc tgtgggctgt gatctgcctc aaacccacag cctgggtagc aggaggacct 181tgatgctcct ggcacagatg aggagaatct ctcttttctc ctgcttgaag gacagacatg 241actttggatt tccccaggag gagtttggca accagttcca aaaggctgaa accatccctg 301tcctccatga gatgatccag cagatcttca atctcttcag cacaaaggac tcatctgctg 361cttgggatga gaccctccta gacaaattct acactgaact ctaccagcag ctgaatgacc 421tggaagcctg tgtgatacag ggggtggggg tgacagagac tcccctgatg aaggaggact 481ccattctggc tgtgaggaaa tacttccaaa gaatcactct ctatctgaaa gagaagaaat 541acagcccttg tgcctgggag gttgtcagag cagaaatcat gagatctttt tctttgtcaa 601caaacttgca agaaagttta agaagtaagg aatgaaaact ggttcaacat ggaaatgatt 661ttcattgatt cgtatgccag ctcacctttt tatgatctgc catttcaaag actcatgttt 721ctgctatgac catgacacga tttaaatctt ttcaaatgtt tttaggagta ttaatcaaca 781ttgtattcag ctcttaaggc actagtccct tacagaggac catgctgact gatccattat 841ctatttaaat atttttaaaa tattatttat ttaactattt ataaaacaac ttatttttgt 901tcatattatg tcatgtgcac ctttgcacag tggttaatgt aataaaatat gttctttgta 961tttggtaaat ttattttgtg ttgttcattg aacttttgct atggaaactt ttgtacttgt 1021ttattcttta aaatgaaatt ccaagcctaa ttgtgcaacc tgattacaga ataactggta 1081cacttcattt atccatcaat attatattca agatataagt aaaaataaac tttctgtaaa 1141cca Amino Acid: NCBI Accession No. AAP20099 Homo sapiens (SEQ ID NO: 4)1 mcdlpqthsl gsrrtlmlla qmrrislfsc lkdrhdfgfp 41qeefgnqfqk aetipvlhem iqqifnlfst kdssaawdet 81lldkfytely qqlndleacv iqgvgvtetp lmkedsilav 121rkyfqritly lkekkyspca wevvraeimr sfslstnlqe 161 slrskeInterferon Beta 1a-IFNB1Nucleotide: NCBI Reference Sequence: NM_002176.2 Homo sapiens(SEQ ID NO: 5) 1acattctaac tgcaaccttt cgaagccttt gctctggcac aacaggtagt aggcgacact 61gttcgtgttg tcaacatgac caacaagtgt ctcctccaaa ttgctctcct gttgtgcttc 121tccactacag ctctttccat gagctacaac ttgcttggat tcctacaaag aagcagcaat 181tttcagtgtc agaagctcct gtggcaattg aatgggaggc ttgaatactg cctcaaggac 241aggatgaact ttgacatccc tgaggagatt aagcagctgc agcagttcca gaaggaggac 301gccgcattga ccatctatga gatgctccag aacatctttg ctattttcag acaagattca 361tctagcactg gctggaatga gactattgtt gagaacctcc tggctaatgt ctatcatcag 421ataaaccatc tgaagacagt cctggaagaa aaactggaga aagaagattt caccagggga 481aaactcatga gcagtctgca cctgaaaaga tattatggga ggattctgca ttacctgaag 541gccaaggagt acagtcactg tgcctggacc atagtcagag tggaaatcct aaggaacttt 601tacttcatta acagacttac aggttacctc cgaaactgaa gatctcctag cctgtgcctc 661tgggactgga caattgcttc aagcattctt caaccagcag atgctgttta agtgactgat 721ggctaatgta ctgcatatga aaggacacta gaagattttg aaatttttat taaattatga 781gttattttta tttatttaaa ttttattttg gaaaataaat tatttttggt gcaaaagtcaAmino Acid: NCBI Reference Sequence: NP_002167.1 Homo sapiens(SEQ ID NO: 6) 1mtnkcllqia lllcfsttal smsynllgfl qrssnfqcqk llwqlngrle yclkdrmnfd 61ipeelkqlqq fqkedaalti yemlqnifal frqdssstgw netivenlla nvyhqinhlk 121tvleekleke dftrgklmss lhlkryygri lhylkakeys hcawtivrve ilrnfyfinr 181ltgylrn Interferon Gamma-IFNGNucleotide: NCBI Reference Sequence: NM_000619.2 Homo sapiens(SEQ ID NO: 7) 1cacattgttc tgatcatctg aagatcagct attagaagag aaagatcagt taagtccttt 61ggacctgatc agcttgatac aagaactact gatttcaact tctttggctt aattctctcg 121gaaacgatga aatatacaag ttatatcttg gcttttcagc tctgcatcgt tttgggttct 181cttggctgtt actgccagga cccatatgta aaagaagcag aaaaccttaa gaaatatttt 241aatgcaggtc attcagatgt agcggataat ggaactcttt tcttaggcat tttgaagaat 301tggaaagagg agagtgacag aaaaataatg cagagccaaa ttgtctcctt ttacttcaaa 361ctttttaaaa actttaaaga tgaccagagc atccaaaaga gtgtggagac catcaaggaa 421gacatgaatg tcaagttttt caatagcaac aaaaagaaac gagatgactt cgaaaagctg 481actaattatt cggtaactga cttgaatgtc caacgcaaag caatacatga actcatccaa 541gtgatggctg aactgtcgcc agcagctaaa acagggaagc gaaaaaggag tcagatgctg 601tttcgaggtc gaagagcatc ccagtaatgg ttgtcctgcc tgcaatattt gaattttaaa 661tctaaatcta tttattaata tttaacatta tttatatggg gaatatattt ttagactcat 721caatcaaata agtatttata atagcaactt ttgtgtaatg aaaatgaata tctattaata 781tatgtattat ttataattcc tatatcctgt gactgtctca cttaatcctt tgttttctga 841ctaattaggc aaggctatgt gattacaagg ctttatctca ggggccaact aggcagccaa 901cctaagcaag atcccatggg ttgtgtgttt atttcacttg atgatacaat gaacacttat 961aagtgaagtg atactatcca gttactgccg gtttgaaaat atgcctgcaa tctgagccag 1021tgctttaatg gcatgtcaga cagaacttga atgtgtcagg tgaccctgat gaaaacatag 1081catctcagga gatttcatgc ctggtgcttc caaatattgt tgacaactgt gactgtaccc 1141aaatggaaag taactcattt gttaaaatta tcaatatcta atatatatga ataaagtgta 1201agttcacaac aaaaaaaaaa aaaaaaaaaa aaaaaaaaaaAmino Acid: NCBI Reference Sequence: NP_000610.2 Homo sapiens(SEQ ID NO: 8) 1mkytsyilaf qlcivlgslg cycqdpyvke aenlkkyfna ghsdvadngt lflgilknwk 61eesdrkimqs qivsfyfklf knfkddqsiq ksvetikedm nvkffnsnkk krddfekltn 121ysvtdlnvqr kalheliqvm aelspaaktg krkrsqmlfr grrasq Interferon Tau-IFNTNucleotide: NCBI Reference Sequence: NM_001015511.2 Bos taurus(SEQ ID NO: 9) 1gatccccgga aactagaatt cacctgaagg ttcacccaga ccccatctca gccagcccag 61cagcagccac atcttcccca tggccttcgt gctctctcta ctgatggccc tggtgctggt 121cagctacggc cagggacgat ctctgggttg ttacctgtct gaggaccaca tgctaggtgc 181cagggagaac ctcaggctcc tggcccgaat gaacagactc tctcctcatc cctgtctgca 241ggacagaaaa gactttggtc ttcctcagga gatggtggag ggcaaccagc tccagaagga 301tcaggctatc tctgtgctcc acgagatgct ccagcagtgc ctcaacctct tctacacaga 361gcactcgtct gctgcctgga acaccaccct cctggagcag ctctgcactg ggctccaaca 421gcagctggag gacctggacg cctgcctggg cccagtgatg ggagagaaag actctgacat 481gggaaggatg ggccccattc tgactgtgaa gaagtacttc cagggtatcc atgtctacct 541gaaagaaaaa gaatacagtg actgcgcctg ggaaatcatc agagtggaga tgatgagagc 601cctctcttca tcaaccacct tgcaaaaaag gttaagaaag atgggtggag atctgaactc 661actttgagat gactctcgct gactaagatg ccacatcacc ttcgtacact cacctgtgtt 721catttcagaa gactctgatt tctgcttcag ccaccgaaat cattgaatta ctttaactga 781tactttgtca gcagtaataa gcaagtagat ataaaagtac tcagctgtag gggcatgagt 841ccttaagtga tgcctgccct gatgttatct gttgttgatt tatgtattcc ttcttgcatc 901taacatactt aaaatattag gaaatttgta aagttacatt tcatttgtac atctattaaa 961atttctaaaa catgtttacc attttgtgtt attaaatttg tcctttgttc tatttattaa 1021atcaaagaaa atc Amino Acid: GenBank: AAK53058.1 Bos taurus(SEQ ID NO: 10) 1mkytsyilaf qlcivlgslg cycqdpyvke aenlkkyfna ghsdvadngt lflgilknwk 61eesdrkimqs qivsfyfklf knfkddqsiq ksvetikedm nvkffnsnkk krddfekltn 121ysvtdlnvqr kalheliqvm aelspaaktg krkrsqmlfr grrasqConsensus Interferon (conIFN-α) Amino Acid: (SEQ ID NO: 11) 1cdlpqthslg nrralillaq mrrispfscl kdrhdfgfpq eefdgnqfqk aqaisvlhem 61iqqrfnlfst kdssaawdes llekfytely qqlndleacv iqevgveetp lmnvdsilav 121kkyfqritly ltekkyspca wevvraeimr sfslstnlqe rlrrke

What is claimed is:
 1. A composition comprising a vector comprising anucleic acid molecule encoding an interferon (IFN), wherein saidcomposition is formulated as: a) a dry, lyophilized powder, gel, orliquid, wherein said composition is stable at room temperature for atleast one week; or b) a frozen, non-stabilized liquid, wherein saidcomposition, once thawed, is stable at room temperature for at least 24hours.
 2. The composition of claim 1, wherein said interferon isIFN-alpha (IFN-α).
 3. The composition of claim 2, wherein said IFN-α isconsensus IFN-α (conIFN-α).
 4. The composition of claim 1, wherein saidvector is a viral or non-viral vector.
 5. The composition of claim 4,wherein said viral vector is an adenoviral vector.
 6. The composition ofclaim 5, wherein said adenoviral vector is an adenoviral 5 (Ad5) vector.7. The composition of claim 6, wherein said Ad5 vector is a replicationdeficient vector that comprises deletions of the E1 and E3 genes.
 8. Thecomposition of claim 1, wherein said nucleic acid molecule of saidvector is operably linked to a promoter selected from an SV40 promoter,CMV promoter, adenovirus early and late promoter, metallothioneine gene(MT-1) promoter, Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) promoter, and human UbiquitineC (UbC) promoter.
 9. The composition of claim 1, wherein said vectorfurther comprises one or more of a signal sequence, a polyadenylationsequence, and enhancer, an upstream activation sequence, and atranscription termination factor that facilitates expression of saidnucleic acid molecule encoding said interferon.
 10. The composition ofclaim 3, wherein said conIFN-α encoded by said nucleic acid molecule hasa polypeptide sequence comprising the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:11.
 11. The composition of claim 1, wherein said composition furthercomprises a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient selected from one ormore of fructose, maltose, galactose, glucose, D-mannose, sorbose,lactose, sucrose, trehalose, cellobiose, raffinose, melezitose,maltodextrins, dextrans, starches, mannitol, xylitol, xylose, maltitol,lactitol, xylitol sorbitol, sorbitose, pyranosyl sorbitol, myoinositol,glycine, CaCl₂, hydroxyectoine, ectoine, gelatin, di-myo-inositolphosphate (DIP), cyclic 2,3 diphosphoglycerate (cDPG), 1,1-di-glycerolphosphate (DGP), β-mannosylglycerate (firoin), β-mannosylglyceramide(firoin A), and proline betaine.
 12. The composition of claim 1, whereinsaid composition is formulated for aerosolized delivery.
 13. Thecomposition of claim 1, wherein said composition is stable at roomtemperature for at least one month to at least 1 year.
 14. Thecomposition of claim 1, wherein said composition is admixed with apharmaceutically acceptable liquid to form said liquid or gel.
 15. Thecomposition of claim 1, further comprising an additional therapeuticagent selected from an anti-viral agent, an anti-bacterial agent, ananti-fungal agent, an anti-parasitic agent, an immunostimulatory agent,a vaccine, and a chemotherapeutic agent.
 16. The composition of claim15, wherein said vaccine is an Ebola virus vaccine.
 17. A method fortreating or reducing the effects of an infection, autoimmune disease, orcancer in a subject in need thereof comprising administering an amountof the composition of claim 1 to the pulmonary or nasal mucosa of thesubject one or more times.
 18. The method of claim 17, whereinadministration of said composition results in expression of saidinterferon (IFN) in pulmonary or nasal epithelial cells of said mucosa.19. The method of claim 17, wherein said composition comprises anadenoviral 5 (Ad5) vector encoding said IFN and said method comprisesadministering said Ad5 vector in an amount in the range of at leastabout 1×10³ to about 1×10¹⁴ viral particles per dose.
 20. The method ofclaim 17, wherein said IFN is IFN-α.
 21. The method of claim 20, whereinsaid IFN-α is consensus IFN-α (conIFN-α).
 22. The method of claim 17,wherein said subject receives said composition prior to or afterexposure to said pathogen or diagnosis of said autoimmune disease orcancer.
 23. The method of claim 22, wherein said subject receives saidcomposition at least 15 minutes to at least 1 week prior to exposure tosaid pathogen.
 24. The method of claim 22, wherein said subject receivessaid composition immediately after exposure to said pathogen ordiagnosis of said autoimmune disease or cancer or at least 15 minutes toat least 48 hours after exposure to said pathogen or diagnosis of saidautoimmune disease or cancer.
 25. The method of claim 17, wherein saidpathogen is a bacterium, virus, fungus, or parasite.
 26. The method ofclaim 25, wherein: i) said bacterium is selected from Pseudomonasaeruginosa, Salmonella typhimurium, Escherichia coli, Klebsiellapneumoniae, Bruscella, Burkholderia mallei, Yersinia pestis, andBacillus anthraci; ii) said virus is selected from a member of theFlaviviridae, Arenaviridae, Bunyaviridae, Filoviridae, Togaviridae,Poxyiridae, Herpesviridae, Orthomyxoviridae, Coronaviridae,Rhabdoviridae, Paramyxoviridae, Picornaviridae, Hepadnaviridae,Papillamoviridae, Parvoviridae, Astroviridae, Polyomaviridae,Calciviridae, Reoviridae, and the Retroviridae family; iii) said fungusis selected from Aspergillus, Blastomyces dermatitidis, Candida,Coccidioides immitis, Cryptococcus neoformans, Histoplasma capsulatumvar. capsulatum, Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, Sporothrix schenckii,Zygomycetes spp., Absidia corymbifera, Rhizomucor pusillus, and Rhizopusarrhizus; or iv) said parasite is selected from Toxoplasma gondii,Plasmodium falciparum, P. vivax, P. ovale, P. malariae, Trypanosomaspp., and Legionella spp.
 27. The method of claim 26, wherein said virusis selected from hepatitis C virus, Yellow fever virus, Gadgets Gullyvirus, Kadam virus, Kyasanur Forest disease virus, Langat virus, Omskhemorrhagic fever virus, Powassan virus, Royal Farm virus, Karshi virus,tick-borne encephalitis virus, Neudoerfl virus, Sofjin virus, Loupingill virus, Negishi virus, Meaban virus, Saumarez Reef virus, Tyuleniyvirus, Aroa virus, dengue virus, Kedougou virus, Cacipacore virus,Koutango virus, Japanese encephalitis virus, Murray Valley encephalitisvirus, St. Louis encephalitis virus, Usutu virus, West Nile virus,Yaounde virus, Kokobera virus, Bagaza virus, Ilheus virus, Israel turkeymeningoencephalo-myelitis virus, Ntaya virus, Tembusu virus, Zika virus,Banzi virus, Bouboui virus, Edge Hill virus, Jugra virus, Saboya virus,Sepik virus, Uganda S virus, Wesselsbron virus, yellow fever virus,Entebbe bat virus, Yokose virus, Apoi virus, Cowbone Ridge virus,Jutiapa virus, Modoc virus, Sal Vieja virus, San Perlita virus, Bukalasabat virus, Carey Island virus, Dakar bat virus, Montana myotisleukoencephalitis virus, Phnom Penh bat virus, Rio Bravo virus, Tamanabat virus, Cell fusing agent virus, Ippy virus, Lassa virus, lymphocyticchoriomeningitis virus (LCMV), Mobala virus, Mopeia virus, Amaparivirus, Flexal virus, Guanarito virus, Junin virus, Latino virus, Machupovirus, Oliveros virus, Paraná virus, Pichinde virus, Pirital virus,Sabiá virus, Tacaribe virus, Tamiami virus, Whitewater Arroyo virus,Chapare virus, Lujo virus, Hantaan virus, Sin Nombre virus, Dugbe virus,Bunyamwera virus, Rift Valley fever virus, La Crosse virus, Punta Torovirus (PTV), California encephalitis virus, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagicfever (CCHF) virus, Ebola virus, Marburg virus, Venezuelan equineencephalitis virus (VEE), Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEE),Western equine encephalitis virus (WEE), Sindbis virus, rubella virus,Semliki Forest virus, Ross River virus, Barmah Forest virus,O'nyong'nyong virus, chikungunya virus, smallpox virus, monkeypox virus,vaccinia virus, herpes simplex virus (HSV), human herpes virus,cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), Varicella-Zoster virus,Kaposi's sarcoma associated-herpesvirus (KSHV), influenza virus, severeacute respiratory syndrome (SARS) virus, rabies virus, vesicularstomatitis virus (VSV), human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV),Newcastle disease virus, hendravirus, nipahvirus, measles virus,rinderpest virus, canine distemper virus, Sendai virus, humanparainfluenza virus, rhinovirus, mumps virus, coxsackievirus, hepatitisB virus, human papilloma virus, adeno-associated virus, astrovirus, JCvirus, BK virus, SV40 virus, Norwalk virus, rotavirus, humanimmunodeficiency virus (HIV), and human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV). 28.The method of claim 17, wherein said composition is inhaled as alyophilized powder.
 29. The method of claim 17, wherein said compositionis admixed with a pharmaceutically acceptable liquid and inhaled as anaerosolized mist.
 30. The method of claim 29, wherein saidpharmaceutically acceptable liquid is water or saline.
 31. The method ofclaim 17, wherein said subject is a human.
 32. The method of claim 17,wherein said subject is administered at least 2 doses of saidcomposition.
 33. The method of claim 17, wherein said composition isadministered as a gel.
 34. The method of claim 17, wherein said methodfurther comprises administering an additional therapeutic agent selectedfrom an anti-viral agent, an anti-bacterial agent, an anti-fungal agent,an anti-parasitic agent, an immunostimulatory agent, a vaccine, and achemotherapeutic agent.
 35. The method of claim 34, wherein said vaccineis an Ebola virus vaccine.
 36. The method of claim 34, wherein saidtherapeutic agent is administered separately or concurrently with saidcomposition.
 37. The method of claim 34, wherein said therapeutic agentis admixed with said composition.
 38. A device comprising thecomposition of claim 1, wherein said device comprises: a) a containercomprising said composition; b) a nozzle for directing said compositionto the pulmonary or nasal mucosa of a subject; c) a mechanical deliverypump for delivering the composition to the nozzle, wherein activation ofsaid pump results in a fluid connection between said nozzle and saidcontainer; and d) an actuation mechanism for activating said mechanicaldelivery pump.
 39. The device of claim 38, wherein the actuationmechanism comprises a trigger for actuating the delivery pump at apredeterminable pressure or flow rate.
 40. The device of claim 38,wherein the delivery pump comprises a liquid delivery pump fordelivering a metered volume of said composition in liquid or powderform.
 41. The device of claim 38, wherein the nozzle is configured todeliver an aerosol or a jet.
 42. A kit comprising i) a first containercomprising a composition comprising a vector comprising a nucleic acidmolecule encoding an interferon (IFN), wherein said composition isformulated as: a) a dry, lyophilized powder, gel, or liquid, whereinsaid composition is stable at room temperature for at least one week; orb) a frozen, non-stabilized liquid, wherein said composition, oncethawed, is stable at room temperature for at least 24 hours; ii) asecond container comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable liquid; andiii) the device of claim 38 and, optionally, instructions for using thedevice to deliver the contents of said first container, or for combiningthe contents of said first and second containers to form a combinedcomposition and then using the device to deliver the combinedcomposition, to a subject for treating or inhibiting infection by apathogen.